System, method and device operable to produce a video

ABSTRACT

A system, method and device operable to produce a video are disclosed herein. The system, method and device, in an embodiment, involve a recording session resulting in a video track. During the recording session, inputs are received at different points in time and a set of data markers are stored based on each one of the inputs. Each set has a first data marker and a second data marker, and the first data marker is chronologically located before the point in time of the input related to the set. Before or after the recording session, an additional input is received that is associated with an output. The output includes a visual output, an audio output or a combination thereof. A video is produced that has one or more desired portions of the video track. The video excludes at least one undesired portion of the video track, and the video includes the output or is otherwise playable to provide the output.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit andpriority of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/706,706 filed on Dec.7, 2019, which, in turn, is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/855,275 filed on Dec. 27, 2017. The entire contents of suchapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is popular to use mobile devices, such as smartphones, to recordvideos of various events. For example, people use smartphones to recordfamily trips and activities, sports games, ceremonies, and performancesof family members, friends and others in the fields of athletics,education, entertainment and business. Many of these events involveinteresting moments that occur over long stretches of time. During theevents, it can be difficult to anticipate or predict when theseinteresting moments will occur. Consequently, even though a viewer maywish to only capture the interesting moments, the viewer must record theentire event to avoid missing the interesting moments. To develophighlight videos, the viewers must edit these videos after therecording, which can be painstaking, time consuming and labor intensive.

Also, while recording the video, it can be difficult to take note ofimportant information. Conventionally, this requires the use of at leasttwo separate tools—the smartphone's video recorder and a separatesoftware program or paper. The viewer operates the video recorder torecord the event. Another person, such as a friend or statistician, usesthe software program or paper to note the important informationregarding the interesting moments. For example, the statistician mightnote that a specific participant scored a point or made a particularaction.

It can be challenging for two people to manage these separate toolsespecially in high-paced events. If there is only one person availableto view an event, the person may decide not to use one of the tools,losing the opportunity to gain valuable video or event information.Alternatively, the person may attempt to manage both of these tools atthe same time. This can cause difficulty, stress, errors and oversightsin the video recording process and note-taking process.

Furthermore, there are several shortcomings in the known processes forrecording, storing, publishing, finding, rating and acting upon videosof participants in events. The shortcomings include, but are not limitedto, the burdens of labor and time required to edit videos after they arerecorded, inefficiencies in the processes of the human machineinterface, the difficulty to find videos of a desired category, theoveruse of data storage centers, the loss of data storage capacity onmobile devices such as smartphones, and the inaccuracies in the eventinformation that is published in connection with videos. Theseshortcomings result in disadvantages and lost opportunities for viewerswho record videos, the event participants and the viewers who watchvideos.

The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of theproblems, disadvantages and challenges related to video recording, videomanagement, video access, video-related activities, event reporting, andthe pursuits of event participants and viewers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, block diagram illustrating an embodiment of thesystem operatively coupled to devices and data sources over a network.

FIG. 2A is a top view of an embodiment of the login interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 2B is a top view of an embodiment of the user profile interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 3A is a top view of an embodiment of the home interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 3B is a top view of an embodiment of the main features interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 3C is a top view of an embodiment of the update filter interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the filter strips of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 5A is a top view of an embodiment of the map search interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an example of the map search interface of FIG.5A.

FIG. 6A is a top view of an embodiment of the recording optionsinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 6B is a top view of an embodiment of the recording featuresinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 7 is table illustrating an embodiment of the basic mode forrecording with the programmed device.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the user's thumb touching the start/stop element to startthe basic mode recording session.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the user's single finger touching the screen of theprogrammed device during the basic mode recording session to generate aclip input.

FIG. 10A is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the flash in response to the user's clip input (e.g.,touching of the screen of the programmed device) during the basic moderecording session.

FIG. 10B is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the disappearance of the flash of FIG. 10A during the basicmode recording session.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the rear lens.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the rear lens covered by the user's hand to end or exit thebasic mode recording session.

FIG. 13A is a top view of an embodiment of the publish decisioninterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 13B is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the programmed device oriented in a vertical or portraitposition during the basic mode recording session.

FIG. 14 is table illustrating an embodiment of the advanced mode forrecording video and statistics with the programmed device.

FIG. 15 is table illustrating an embodiment of the correlations for theadvanced mode of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the user's single finger touching the screen to generate aclip input and record one point during the advanced mode recordingsession.

FIG. 17 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating two fingers touching the screen to generate a clip inputand record two points during the advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 18 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating three fingers touching the screen to generate a clip inputand record three points during the advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 19 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating one finger swiping laterally on the screen to generate aclip input and record an assist during the advanced mode recordingsession.

FIG. 20 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating one finger swiping vertically on the screen to generate aclip input and record a rebound during the advanced mode recordingsession.

FIG. 21 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating four fingers touching the screen to generate a clip inputand record a steal during the advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 22 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the base of a first or hand touching the screen to generatea clip input and record a block during the advanced mode recordingsession.

FIG. 23 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating a finger marking an X on the screen to generate a clipinput and record a turnover during the advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 24A is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating a recording interface having different categories of clipelements (e.g., highlight clip elements and lowlight clip elements) forthe advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 24B is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the recording interface of FIG. 24A after one second haselapsed.

FIG. 25A is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the recording interface of FIG. 24A after three secondshave elapsed.

FIG. 25B is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the recording interface of FIG. 24A when the user selecteda highlight clip element at the point of one minute and nineteenseconds.

FIG. 26 is a top view of an embodiment of the programmed device,illustrating the recording interface having different categories of clipelements (e.g., highlight clip elements and lowlight clip elements) andselectable statistics symbols for the advanced mode recording session.

FIG. 27 is a top view of an embodiment of a cutback pop-up of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 28 is the first part of a table illustrating an example of anembodiment of a data list generated by the video generator of theprogrammed device during a recording session.

FIG. 29 is the second part of the table of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30A is a schematic diagram illustrating a video track generatedduring a period of time during a recording session of the programmeddevice.

FIG. 30B is a schematic diagram illustrating the bookmarking processcorresponding to the data list of FIGS. 28-29 to determine or identifyexcess tracks and desired clips.

FIG. 31 is the first part of a table illustrating another example of anembodiment of the data list generated by the video generator of theprogrammed device during a recording session.

FIG. 32 is the second part of the table of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating the bookmarking processcorresponding to a data list of FIGS. 31-32 to determine or identifyexcess tracks and desired clips.

FIG. 34 is the first part of a table illustrating yet another example ofan embodiment of a data list generated by the video generator of theprogrammed device during a recording session.

FIG. 35 is the second part of the table of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating the bookmarking processcorresponding to the data list of FIGS. 34-35 to determine or identifyexcess tracks and desired clips.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the recordingmethod of the programmed device.

FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram illustrating the results of the recordingmethod of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a top view of an embodiment of the processing interfaces ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 40A is a top view of an embodiment of the primary video categorizerinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 40B is a top view of an embodiment of the secondary videocategorizer interface of the programmed device.

FIG. 40C is a top view of an embodiment of the public publicationinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 41 is a top view of an embodiment of the front video interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 42A is a top view of an embodiment of the social interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 42B is a top view of an embodiment of the rating interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 43A is a top view of an embodiment of the secondary videocategorizer interface of FIG. 40B, illustrating a selection of theathlete lowlights category.

FIG. 43B is a top view of an embodiment of the private posting interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for verifying orconfirming the accuracy of event information reported by users ofprogrammed devices.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of an embodiment of another method for verifyingor confirming the accuracy of event information reported by users ofprogrammed devices.

FIG. 46 is a top view of an embodiment of an outcome indicator of anevent site or facility.

FIG. 47A is a top view of an embodiment of the image capture interfaceof the programmed device, illustrating a scoreboard photo of the outcomeindicator of FIG. 46.

FIG. 47B is a top view of an embodiment of the image capture interfaceof the programmed device, illustrating a photo of a physical displaymedium, such as a mascot banner.

FIG. 48A is a top view of an embodiment of a process indicator of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 48B is a top view of an embodiment of the verification successindicator of the programmed device.

FIG. 48C is a top view of an embodiment of the verification failureindicator of the programmed device.

FIG. 49A is a top view of an embodiment of the winner benefit interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 49B is a top view of an embodiment of the loser benefit interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 50A is a top view of an embodiment of the participant centerinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 50B is a top view of an embodiment of the personal data interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 51A is a top view of an embodiment of the personal dataverification interface of the programmed device.

FIG. 51B is a top view of an embodiment of the verification progressinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 52A is a top view of an embodiment of the highlight video interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 52B is a top view of an embodiment of the interview video interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 53A is a top view of an embodiment of the reference video interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 53B is a top view of an embodiment of the biography interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 54A is a top view of an embodiment of the send videos interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 54B is a top view of an embodiment of the recipient interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 55A is a top view of an embodiment of the lowlight video interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 55B is a top view of an embodiment of the development videointerface of the programmed device.

FIG. 56 is a top view of an embodiment of the gift card interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 57A is a top view of an embodiment of the sponsor level interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 57B is a top view of an embodiment of the sponsors interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 57C is a top view of an embodiment of the sponsor account interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 58A is a top view of an embodiment of the connector interface ofthe programmed device.

FIG. 58B is a top view of an embodiment of the listing interface of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 59A is a top view of an embodiment of the connection searchinterface of the programmed device.

FIG. 59B is a top view of an embodiment of the search results interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 60A is a top view of an embodiment of the provider interface of theprogrammed device, illustrating the masking of the videos and text ofthe reviews.

FIG. 60B is a top view of an embodiment of the review unlock interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 61A is a top view of an embodiment of the provider interface ofFIG. 60A, illustrating the unmasked videos and text of the reviews.

FIG. 61B is a top view of an embodiment of the provider profile of theprogrammed device.

FIG. 62A is a top view of an embodiment of the order interface of theprogrammed device, illustrating an example of an order for a bracelet.

FIG. 62B is an isometric view of an embodiment of a bracelet configuredto be operatively coupled to the programmed device.

FIG. 63A is a top view of an embodiment of another order interface ofthe programmed device, illustrating an example of an order for ashoestring tag.

FIG. 63B is a top view of an embodiment of a shoestring tag configuredto be operatively coupled to the programmed device.

FIG. 63C is a schematic side view of the shoestring tag of FIG. 63B.

FIG. 64A is a top view of the shoestring tag of FIG. 63B, illustratingthe coupling of the shoestring tag to a shoestring.

FIG. 64B is an isometric view of an embodiment of a shoe having theshoestring tag of FIG. 63B.

FIG. 65 is a top view of an embodiment of the athlete metrics interfaceof the programmed device.

FIG. 66 is a top view of an embodiment of certain video footage (e.g.,the dribbling player's feet) tracked by the tracking images generated bythe programmed device.

FIG. 67 is a table illustrating an embodiment of an animation setgenerated by the programmed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the system 10 is storedwithin one or more databases or data storage devices 12. The one or moredata storage devices 12 are accessible to one or more processors, suchas processor 14, over a data network 16, such as the Internet. Theprocessor 14 is operatively coupled to a plurality of data sources 18over the data network 16. Users can operate a plurality of types ofelectronic devices 20 to access the system 10 through the network 16.The electronic devices 20 can include a personal computer 22, smartphone24, tablet 26 or any other type of network access device.

The system 10 includes a plurality of computer-readable instructions,software, computer code, computer programs, logic, algorithms, data,data libraries, data files, graphical data and commands that areexecutable by the processor 14 and the electronic devices 20. Inoperation, the processor 14 and the electronic devices 20 cooperate withthe system 10 to perform the functions described in this description.

In an embodiment, the system 10 includes a video generator 28, interfacemodule 30, publication module 31, participant module 32, verificationmodule 34 and connector module 36. The one or more data storage devices12 store the system 10 for execution by the processor 14. The electronicdevices 20 can access the system 10 over the network 16 to enable usersto provide inputs and receive outputs as described below.

In addition, the one or more data storage devices 12 store adownloadable system 11. In an embodiment, the downloadable system 11includes part or all of the system 10 in a format that is configured tobe downloaded and installed onto the electronic devices 20. For example,in an embodiment, the downloadable system 11 includes: (a) a mobile appversion of the system 10 that is compatible with the iOS™ mobileoperating system; and (b) a mobile app version of the system 10 that iscompatible with the Android™ mobile operating system. In an embodiment,the data sources 18 include databases of schools 38, databases ofhealthcare providers 40, databases of testing organizations 42,databases of benefit sources 44 and databases of sponsors 46.

From time to time in this description, the system 13, which includes thesystems 10 and 11 or portions thereof, may be described as performingvarious functions with the understanding that such functions involve theexecution role of the processor 14, another processor or the electronicdevices 20. Depending upon the embodiment, the processor 14 and theelectronic devices 20 can include one or more microprocessors, circuits,circuitry, controllers or other data processing devices. Although thesystem 13 is operable to control the input and output devices of theelectronic devices 20, the system 13 may be described herein asgenerating outputs, displaying interfaces and receiving inputs.

The electronic devices 20 are configured to download, store and executethe downloadable system 11. As illustrated in FIG. 2, once downloaded onone of the electronic devices 20, the downloadable system 11 causes theelectronic device 20 to perform various functions. The term, programmeddevice 120, may be used herein to refer to an electronic device 20 thatis operable according to, or based on the commands, instructions andfunctionality of the system 13, including the downloadable system 11.

There are a variety of different types of users of the programmeddevices 120 and the system 13, including, but not limited to, eventparticipants (e.g., students and athletes), family members and friendsof event participants, news media professionals and journalists, videoproducers, schools, colleges, coaches, sponsors of event participants,merchants (e.g., restaurants) and providers (e.g., sports clubs/teams,camp hosts, college recruiters, physical therapists, sports agents,trainer, academic tutors and others).

In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 includes an imaging deviceconfigured to record videos and generate images or photographs. Theimaging device can include dual cameras or a camera unit with duallenses (one for front imaging and one for rear imaging) to detect theuser's gestures at the front while recording videos of action at therear. In an embodiment, the imaging device has auto-zoom (zoom-in andzoom-out) functionality to maximize the capture of a tracked participantor wearable item (e.g., the bracelet 508 or shoestring tag 516 describedbelow) that is paired with the programmed device 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the programmed device 120 initially displaysa login interface 48. In an embodiment, the login interface 48 includesa login element 50. After the user activates the login element 50, theprogrammed device 120 displays the user profile interface 52 illustratedin FIG. 2B. As shown, the user profile interface 52 enables the user tocreate login credentials (e.g., username and password), enter personalinformation (e.g., cell phone number, email address and zip code),select a preferred language (e.g., English) and select a preferredtemperature standard (e.g. English).

Once logged-in, the programmed device 120 displays the home interface 54as illustrated in FIG. 3A. The home interface 54 displays a plurality ofcompilation videos 60, 61, 62 and other compilation videos, below thecompilation video 62, that are visible via swiping. As described furtherbelow, the compilation videos 60, 61, 62 have ratings 63, 65, 67,respectively. The programmed device 120 is operable to sort the videos,by default, according to the ratings such that the video with thehighest rating is displayed at the top of the home interface 54. In anembodiment, the ratings represent likeness or flame per view, asdescribed below.

In addition, the home interface 54 includes a plurality of icons orsymbols at the bottom of the home interface 54. In the example shown,the home interface 54 displays a home symbol 72 that, upon selection,causes the programmed device 120 to display the home interface 54. Thehome interface 54 also displays a participant map symbol 74, a peoplefollower symbol 76 enabling the user to search for, select and followother users (e.g., athletes or participants), a video camera symbol 78,and a connection symbol 80, each of which is described below.

It should be appreciated that the home interface 54 can be a mobile appinterface, a website, or another online or network-accessible portal ormedium, including, but not limited to, a social media, cloud-basedplatform. For example, the home interface 54 can be the front interfaceof the YouTube™ online video platform.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3A, the programmed device 120 alsodisplays a menu element 81. In response to the user's selection oractivation of the menu element 81, the programmed device 120 displays afeatures interface 82 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. The features interface82 displays a plurality of functions of the system 13. In the exampleshown, the features interface 82 displays: (a) a home element 84selectable by the user, which serves the same function as the homesymbol 72; (b) a user profile element 86 selectable by the user,enabling the user to log-out or change user accounts; (c) a filmingoptions or video recording options element 88; (d) a participant centerelement 90; and (e) a connector element 92, which serves the samefunction as the connection symbol 80.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the home interface 54 displays asearch interface 312. The search interface 312 displays a filter switch95, an update filter element 97, a text search field 99, a searchactivator 101 and a follower search element 103. The sliding of thefilter switch 95 to the left (corresponding to “all”) effectivelyturns-off the search filter. The sliding of the filter switch 95 to theright (corresponding to “my filter”) effectively turns-on the searchfilter.

Also, the user can select the update filter element 97. In response tothe user's selection of the update filter element 97, the programmeddevice 120 displays the update filter interface 105 as illustrated inFIG. 3C. The update filter interface 105 displays an event selector 107,a gender selector 109, a minimum age selector 111, a maximum ageselector 113, a location field 115, a proximity field 117 and a savefilter element 119. Referring to FIG. 4, the programmed device 120displays: (a) an event descriptor category, event reel or event strip121 in response to the user's selection of the event selector 107; (b) agender descriptor category, a gender reel or gender strip 123 inresponse to the user's selection of the gender selector 109; (c) aminimum age descriptor category, a minimum age reel or a minimum agestrip 125 in response to the user's selection of the minimum ageselector 111; and (d) a maximum age descriptor category, a maximum agereel or a maximum age strip 127 in response to the user's selection ofthe maximum age selector 113. In the example shown, the event strip 121displays a strip of elements associated with different types of events,including a baseball element 96, basketball element 98, football element100, soccer element 102, martial arts element 104, track and fieldelement 106, science technology engineering and math (STEM) element 107(associated with presentations at science fairs and other STEM venues),business presentation element 109 (associated with businessplan/investor pitch competitions), and a general element 111 associatedwith any other type of non-categorized event, including, but not limitedto, any sport or non-sport activity, such as debate club, acting, music,dancing and other activities.

In response to the user's selection of one of these event elements, thesystem 13 changes the event element to correspond to the selected eventelement. In the example shown, the user selected basketball element 102,the programmed device 120 highlighted the basketball element 98, and theprogrammed device 120 displayed the basketball element 98 at the top ofthe event strip 121. In response to the user's selection of one of thegender elements, the system 13 changes the gender element to correspondto the selected gender element. In the example shown, the user selectedfemale element 131, the programmed device 120 highlighted the femaleelement 131, and the programmed device 120 displayed the female element131 at the top of the gender strip 123. In response to the user'sselection of one of the minimum age elements, the system 13 changes theminimum age element to correspond to the selected minimum age element.In the example shown, the user selected minimum age fifteen, theprogrammed device 120 highlighted the numeral fifteen, and theprogrammed device 120 displayed the numeral fifteen at the top of theminimum age strip 125. In response to the user's selection of one of themaximum age elements, the system 13 changes the maximum age element tocorrespond to the selected maximum age element. In the example shown,the user selected maximum age seventeen, the programmed device 120highlighted the numeral seventeen, and the programmed device 120displayed the numeral seventeen at the top of the maximum age strip 127.Accordingly, in this example, the user set a custom filter for videosthat involve basketball and female participants (i.e., female basketballplayers) having an age within the range of fifteen to seventeen yearsold. The update filter interface 105 (FIG. 3C) then indicates the user'sfilter setting and provides the user with the opportunity to narrow thesearch further by: (a) entering a location (e.g., city, zip code, stateor country) in the location descriptor category or location field 115;and/or (b) entering a radial distance in the proximity descriptorcategory or proximity field 117, such as twenty-five miles or kilometersfrom such location. In response to the user's selection of the savefilter element 119, the system 13 saves the filter setting indicated bythe update filter interface 105.

It should be appreciated that the search interface 312 can include or beoperatively coupled to a plurality of descriptor categories other thanthose illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4, including, but not limited to, country,city, state, language, race, ethnicity, school name, grade point average(“GPA”), ACT score, SAT score, coach's name, position, height, weight,shooting percentage, points per game, other performance statistics, andother types of participant characteristics.

Returning to the home interface 54 (FIG. 3A), if the user swipes thefilter switch 95 to the right, the programmed device 120 displays thecompilation videos 60, 61, 62 according to the filter setting indicatedby the update filter interface 105. If the user swipes the filter switch95 to the left, the programmed device 120 displays the compilationvideos 60, 61, 62 without any filtering. If the user enters text in thetext search field 99 (e.g., an athlete's name) and then selects thesearch activator 101, the programmed device 120 processes a searchrequest and displays the compilation videos 60, 61, 62 according to thetext entered in the text search field 99. If the user selects thefollower search element 103, the programmed device 120 blocks ordeactivates any filter settings and displays the compilation videos 60,61, 62 of those users who are followed by the user in accordance withthe settings input through the people follower symbol 76.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, in response to the user's selection ofthe participant map symbol 74, the system 13 displays the map interface108. The map interface 108 displays a search field 110 that enables theuser to enter a zip code or name of city, state or other territory. Uponentering the data in the field 110 (e.g., zip code 60426 of Harvey,Ill.), the system 13 displays a geographic map 94 of users who areregistered through the system 13 as participants. In an embodiment, thegeographic map 94 graphically represents participants according to theupdate filter interface 105 (FIG. 3C). The map displays symbols ordifferent sizes, shapes or colors to indicate the athletes of varyingratings. In the example shown, the relatively small squares indicateathletes with ratings below a designated level, and the three relativelylarge squares indicate athletes with ratings above the designated level.In response to the user's selection of one of the symbols, the system 13displays biographical information regarding the corresponding athlete.In the example shown, the user entered zip code 60426 of Harvey, Ill.for a search for high school female basketball players, and the mapinterface 108 displayed a map of Harvey, Ill. populated with thelocations or school addresses of high school female basketball playersindicated by squares. Next, the user selected the large central square,and the map interface 108 displayed information regarding thecorresponding basketball player—Tyra Wilson, 6′ point guard, age 16,Thornton High School, Harvey, Ill.

The search interface 312 (FIG. 3A) and the map interface 108 (FIGS.5A-5B) overcome challenges and barriers encountered by participants,such as athletes aspiring to play sports in college. For example, it iscommon for talented high school athletes to be overlooked because theyattend low profile high schools, reside in relatively small cities ortowns, do not satisfy the ideal height and weight for a given sport,lack the personal connections, or lack the financial resources to payrecruiting consultants. These athletes, who play on high school andAmateur Athletic Union (“AAU”) teams, often find it difficult to gainadequate exposure to recruiters, colleges, teams and media.

Using conventional (prior art) video platforms like YouTube™, it can bedifficult, burdensome and time consuming for recruiters and sportsenthusiasts to identify athletes who match a desired profile, such asage, gender, sport type, performance statistic, height, weight, GPA orother descriptors of various descriptor categories. For example, aYouTube™ search for “top 17 year old high school girl basketball playersin Cleveland, Ohio” may result in 83,900 results with the first fiveincluding: (a) The Best High School Basketball Player From Every State;(b) 7′7 freshman makes varsity debut; (c) 7-Foot-7 190 lbs Freshman; (d)7′7″ basketball player in Ohio; and (e) Chargrin Falls' senior HallieThome named Cleveland.com's Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Four ofthe top five results do not even involve girl basketball players, andthe fifth result involves a eighteen year old girl basketball player.The sought-after player may be buried in the 83,900 results, requiringsearchers to spend hours to identify 17 year old girl basketball playersin Cleveland, Ohio. The system 13 provides an improvement that overcomesor decreases the effects of this problem. In particular, the searchinterface 312 (FIG. 3A) enables users to use the filter 95 to findcompilation videos of participants that satisfy the specific descriptorsselected by the users. In an embodiment described below, the system 13requires the video submitter to input descriptors, such as event type,gender, age and zip code, into the primary video categorizer interface287 (FIG. 40A).

The map interface 108 enables recruiters to conveniently investigate theathletes within a desired geography. For example, without the mapinterface 108, recruiters might avoid traveling to a small town to viewa single athlete. With the improvement and advantage provided by the mapinterface 108, a recruiter can virtually visit small towns and view thevideos and information regarding the athletes there. In addition, asdescribed above, the search interface 31 (FIG. 3) enables recruiters tofilter and narrowly search for athletes and participants who satisfyspecific criteria input by the recruiters. This functionality and theadvantages of the connector module 36 described below, provide importantimprovements that overcome or lessen the disadvantages described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when a user selects the recording optionselement 88 (FIG. 3B), the programmed device 120 displays the recordingoptions interface 110. The recording options interface 110 displays astandard mode element 112, custom mode element 114, standard cutback116, custom cutback field 118, standard cutforward 120, customcutforward field 122, and recording features element 124.

If the user selects the standard mode element 112, the programmed device120 automatically activates the standard cutback 116 and standardcutforward 120. The standard cutback 116 and standard cutforward 120 arethe default values. In the example shown, the value of the standardcutback 116 is set at five seconds, and the value of the standardcutforward 122 is set at two seconds. It should be appreciated thatthese values can be adjusted by the implementor of the system 13.

If the user selects the manual mode element 114, the programmed device120 deactivates the default cutback 116 and default cutforward 120, andthe programmed device 120 enables the user to enter the desired data(e.g., time values in seconds) in the custom cutback field 118 andcustom cutforward field 122. As described further below, the time valuesestablished in the recording options interface 110 affect the videoclipping process.

In response to the user's selection of the recording features element124, the programmed device 120 displays the recording features interface126 as illustrated in FIG. 6B. In an embodiment, the recording featuresinterface 126 displays: (a) a basic mode element 128; (b) an advancedmode element 130; (c) a highlights element 132 associated with successor positive activity of a participant's performance; (d) a lowlightselements 134 associated with failure, weakness or negative activity thatindicates areas for training or improvement in a participant's skills;and (e) a stats element 136 associated with a set of statistics symbols216 (FIG. 26) described below.

In response to the user's selection of the basic mode element 128, thesystem 13 activates a basic recording mode 140 as illustrated in FIG. 7.According to the basic method of use indicated in FIG. 7:

(a) To activate the recording function of the programmed device 120, theuser presses or taps the video camera symbol 78 as illustrated in FIGS.3A and 6A-6B. In response, the programmed device 120 displays arecording interface 142 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

(b) To start recording, the user presses and holds the start/stopelement 144 (FIG. 7) which, in the example shown, is a wheel symbol.After the user continuously presses the start/stop element 144 for adesignated period (e.g., one second), the programmed device 120 animatesthe start/stop element 144 and starts the recording of the event. In theexample shown, the programmed device 120 causes the wheel symbol to spinor rotate. The continuous motion of the wheel symbol indicates thatrecording is in progress. It should be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, the start/stop element 144 can include other animatedsymbols, such as a spinning basketball, spinning football, spinningbaseball, spinning soccer ball, another spinning or moving sports objectassociated with a particular sport, or a dot or ball that travelsclockwise around the perimeter (the path of flash 150).

(c) To capture video footage 146 (FIG. 8) of the recorded event, theuser presses and holds one or more fingers (or another part of theuser's body) on the touchscreen 148 (FIG. 9) of the programmed device120 until the system 13 displays a relatively bright flash 150 (FIG.10A) located at the perimeter of the recording interface 142. In thisembodiment, the programmed device 120 has a designated confirmationperiod, such as two seconds. The programmed device 120 checks todetermine whether the user has made a continuous, intentional input ontothe touchscreen 148 for the confirmation period. Once the programmeddevice 120 confirms that the user has satisfied this condition, theprogrammed device 120 proceeds to generate the flash 150 and capture thevideo footage 146. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments,the programmed device 120 is configured to receive other types ofactions or inputs to generate the desired video footage 146, including,but not limited to, voice, audible, retinal, biometric and gestureinputs, user actions, movements of the programmed device 120 relative toother objects, and electronic signals from ancillary devices, sensors oraccessories. The flash 150 (FIG. 10A) indicates to the user that theprogrammed device 120 has successfully received the user's input togenerate the desired video footage 146. In an embodiment, the flash 150is bright white, silver, yellow, orange or red. In another embodiment,the flash 150 is a graphical animation of a rectangular path or line offire showing a line of red and orange flames in motion. In yet anotherembodiment, the programmed device 120 displays a sequence of flashes 150in which flash 150 quickly changes between illuminated andnon-illuminated appearances. After the flashing or flash period ends,the programmed device 120 deactivates the flash 150, returning to therecording interface 142 shown in FIG. 10B.

(d) To pause or stop the recording, the user presses and holds thestart/stop element 144. After the user continuously presses thestart/stop element 144 for a designated period (e.g., one second), theprogrammed device 120 stops the animation of the start/stop element 144and stops the recording of the event. In the example shown, theprogrammed device 120 stops the spinning and rotation of the wheelsymbol. The stationary display of the wheel symbol indicates thatrecording has stopped or paused.

(e) To wrap-up, end or terminate the recording session, the user pressesor selects the recording exit element 145. In addition, the user can usehis/her hand 152 to cover the rear camera lens 154 of the programmeddevice 120 as illustrated in FIGS. 11-12. The programmed device 120checks to determine whether the user has made a continuous, intentionalcovering of the lens 154 for a confirmation period, such as one second.Once the programmed device 120 confirms that the user has satisfied thiscondition, the programmed device 120 recognizes an exit input. In anembodiment, in response to an exit input through the exit element 145 orthe rear camera lens 154, the programmed device 120 automaticallydisplays a publish decision interface 156 as illustrated in FIG. 13A.The publish decision interface 156 displays a continue recording element158 and a publish now element 160. Depending upon the embodiment, thepublish decision interface 156 can cover or replace the entire recordinginterface 142, or the publish decision interface 156 can be a pop-upwindow that overlays only part of the recording interface 142. If theuser selects the continue recording element 158, the programmed device120 displays the recording interface 142. If the user selects thepublish now element 160, the programmed device 120 automaticallypublishes a highlight video having a compilation of select video clipsof the video footage 146, or the programmed device 120 enables the userto add information before publishing such video, as described furtherbelow. The publish decision interface 156 provides a secondary safeguardagainst an unintentional stoppage of recording. The confirmation periodfor the lens covering can serve as a primary safeguard.

In response to the user's selection of the advanced mode element 130(FIG. 6B), the programmed device 120 activates an advanced recordingmode 162 as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15. According to the advanced methodof use described in FIGS. 14-15:

(a) To activate the recording function of the programmed device 120, theuser presses or taps the video camera symbol 78 as illustrated in FIGS.3A and 6A-6B. In response, the programmed device 120 displays arecording interface 142 as illustrated in FIG. 16.

(b) To start recording, the user presses and holds the start/stopelement 144 (FIG. 16) which, in the example shown, is a wheel symbol.After the user continuously presses the start/stop element 144 for adesignated period (e.g., one second), the programmed device 120 animatesthe start/stop element 144 and starts the recording of the event. In theexample shown, the programmed device 120 causes the wheel symbol to spinor rotate. The continuous motion of the wheel symbol indicates thatrecording is in progress. It should be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, the start/stop element 144 can include other animatedsymbols, such as a spinning basketball, spinning football, spinningbaseball, spinning soccer ball or another spinning or moving sportsobject associated with a particular sport.

(c) To generate or capture a video clip while, at the same time,recording the statistic associated with the video clip, the userprovides one of the clip-stat commands 164 (FIG. 14), multi-functionalcommands. As shown in FIG. 15, the programmed device 120 stores aplurality of correlations 166 related to the clip-stat commands 164.

(d) As illustrated in FIG. 16, if the user presses or taps one finger atany single spot 168 on the touchscreen 148, this single-finger input hasa one input characteristic associated with a scoring of one point (e.g.,a basketball free throw or soccer goal). This causes the programmeddevice 120 to simultaneously save or record one point and generate orcapture the associated video clip, as described below. In an embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, if the user presses or taps one fingerat any single spot 168 on the touchscreen 148, the programmed device 120simultaneously: (i) saves or records one point; (ii) generates orcaptures the associated video clip, as described below; and (iii)displays a statistics capture confirmation, such as a “1” appearingmomentarily on the touchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated inFIG. 14.

(e) As illustrated in FIG. 17, if the user simultaneously presses ortaps two fingers at any two spots 170, 172 on the touchscreen 148, thistwo-finger input has a two input characteristic associated with ascoring of two points (e.g., a basketball field goal). This causes theprogrammed device 120 to simultaneously save or record two points andgenerate or capture the associated video clip, as described below. In anembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17, if the user simultaneouslypresses or taps two fingers on any two spots 172, 174 on the touchscreen148, the programmed device 120 simultaneously: (i) saves or records twopoints; (ii) generates or captures the associated video clip, asdescribed below; and (iii) displays a statistics capture confirmation,such as a “2” appearing momentarily on the touchscreen 148 and thendisappearing as indicated in FIG. 17.

(f) As illustrated in FIG. 18, if the user simultaneously presses ortaps three fingers at any three spots 174, 176, 178 on the touchscreen148, this three-finger input has a three input characteristic associatedwith a scoring of three points (e.g., a basketball field goal behind thethree point arc). This causes the programmed device 120 tosimultaneously save or record three points and generate or capture theassociated video clip, as described below. In an embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 14 and 18, if the user simultaneously presses or taps threefingers on any three spots 174, 176, 178 on the touchscreen 148, theprogrammed device 120 simultaneously: (i) saves or records three points;(ii) generates or captures the associated video clip, as describedbelow; and (iii) displays a statistics capture confirmation, such as a“3” appearing momentarily on the touchscreen 148 and then disappearingas indicated in FIG. 14.

(g) As illustrated in FIG. 19, if the user laterally drags or swipes oneor more fingers from left to right or right to left on the touchscreen148 along a lateral or substantially lateral path 180, the lateralswiping input has a lateral or horizontal input characteristicassociated with a lateral or horizontal path of a passed ball (e.g., thepassing of a basketball from one player to another player who scores).In an embodiment, this lateral or horizontal input characteristic isassociated with the passing or movement of a ball or sports objectsubstantially laterally or horizontally across a court or sports area.In basketball, the user could provide this input when a player passes aball that results in an assist. This input causes the programmed device120 to simultaneously save or record one assist and generate or capturethe associated video clip, as described below. In an embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 19, if the user drags one or more fingersalong substantially lateral path 180, the programmed device 120simultaneously: (i) saves or records one assist; (ii) generates orcaptures the associated video clip, as described below; and (iii)displays a statistics capture confirmation, such as a “ASSIST” appearingmomentarily on the touchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated inFIG. 14.

(h) As illustrated in FIG. 20, if the user vertically drags or swipesone or more fingers upward on the touchscreen 148 along an upward orsubstantially upward path 182, the upward swiping input has a rise,jumping, vertical or upward input characteristic associated with thesubstantially upward path 182 of the rising motion of a player jumpingupward (e.g., the upward jumping of a basketball player to rebound aball). In an embodiment, this upward input characteristic is associatedwith the rebounding of a ball or sports object. In basketball, the usercould provide this input when a player successfully rebounds a ball.This input causes the programmed device 120 to simultaneously save orrecord one rebound and generate or capture the associated video clip, asdescribed below. In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 20, if theuser drags one or more fingers along the substantially upward path 182,the programmed device 120 simultaneously: (i) saves or records onerebound; (ii) generates or captures the associated video clip, asdescribed below; and (iii) displays a statistics capture confirmation,such as a “REBOUND” or a symbol thereof appearing momentarily on thetouchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated in FIG. 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, if the user simultaneously presses or tapsall four fingers (and optionally, the thumb) at any four spots 184, 186,188, 190 or more on the touchscreen 148, this four-finger input has ahand input characteristic associated with an entire hand that istypically involved in stealing a ball from an opponent (e.g., a steal inbasketball). This input causes the programmed device 120 tosimultaneously save or record one steal and generate or capture theassociated video clip, as described below. In an embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 14 and 21, if the user simultaneously presses or taps fourfingers on any four spots 184, 186, 188 and 190 on the touchscreen 148,the programmed device 120 simultaneously: (i) saves or records onesteal; (ii) generates or captures the associated video clip, asdescribed below; and (iii) displays a statistics capture confirmation,such as “STEAL” or a symbol thereof appearing momentarily on thetouchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated in FIG. 4.

(j) As illustrated in FIG. 22, if the user simultaneously presses ortaps the palm or base 192 of a first at any spot 194 on the touchscreen148, this large surface or fist-shaped input has a powerful orprotective input characteristic associated with a fight or action toblock or reject an opponent (e.g., a block in basketball). This inputcauses the programmed device 120 to simultaneously save or record oneblock and generate or capture the associated video clip, as describedbelow. In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 22, if the usersimultaneously presses or taps the base 192 of the hand on any spot 194on the touchscreen 148, the programmed device 120 simultaneously: (i)saves or records one block; (ii) generates or captures the associatedvideo clip, as described below; and (iii) displays a statistics captureconfirmation, such as “BLOCK” or a symbol thereof appearing momentarilyon the touchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated in FIG. 14.

(k) As illustrated in FIG. 23, if the user vertically drags or swipesone or more fingers to draw an X by swiping along intersecting paths196, 198, the X-shaped input has a cancel, error or negative inputcharacteristic associated with a mistake, error or underperformance of aplayer (e.g., a turnover by a basketball player). In an embodiment, thisnegative input characteristic is associated with a turnover caused by abasketball, football or other athlete. In basketball, the user couldprovide this input when a player loses the ball or otherwise performs aturnover. This input causes the programmed device 120 to simultaneouslysave or record one turnover and generate or capture the associated videoclip, as described below. In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and23, if the user drags one or more fingers along the intersecting paths196, 198, the programmed device 120 simultaneously: (i) saves or recordsone turnover; (ii) generates or captures the associated video clip, asdescribed below; and (iii) displays a statistics capture confirmation,such as a “TURNOVER” or a symbol thereof appearing momentarily on thetouchscreen 148 and then disappearing as indicated in FIG. 14.

There are several challenges and difficulties that event attendeesencounter when video recording events (e.g., games) while, at the sametime, trying to document important statistics regarding the events.First, the attendee experiences a series of emotional rises and fallsthroughout the event. Often, the pivotal moments in the event can causethe attendee to momentarily lose attention of the video recording orstatistics. These emotions increase the difficulty to reliably videorecord all of the important footage of a designated player whilereliably recording all of the important statistics of such player.

The programmed device 120 overcomes or substantially decreases thisdifficulty by providing several technical advantages. As describedfurther below, the video generator 28 of the programmed device 120 has aclipping logic that enables the attendee to capture important footageafter the pivotal moments have occurred. This avoid the burden of tryingto remember to cut or clip pivotal moments while the moments areoccurring. Also, the correlations 166 of the advanced recording mode162, described above, enable the attendee to seamlessly capture a videoclip and the associated statistic at the same time based on a singleinput. In addition, the characteristic of the input resembles or relatesto the statistic. For example, a tap of one finger relates to astatistic of one point. This provides a cognitive learning and memoryadvantage by making it easier to remember which type of input to providefor a given statistic. This enhanced human machine interface simplifiesthe overall process of capturing important video clips and recordingimportant statistics related to the video clips.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 24A-25B, the programmeddevice 120 generates a recording interface 202 in response to the user'sactivation of the video camera symbol 78 (FIG. 3A). The recordinginterface 202 includes a start/stop element 204, a wrap-up or exitelement 206, a highlight clip element 208 and a lowlight clip element210. The start/stop element 204 includes an on indicator, such as anilluminated or colored graphic as well as a timer. In the example shownin FIG. 24A, the start/stop element 204 is a basketball symbol, and oncethe user presses or taps the start/stop element 204, the perimeter ofthe basketball symbol has an illuminated orange circle or arc, and thetimer continuously increments from 0:00 to 0:01 to 0:02 to 0:03 andeventually to 1:19 and onward. To generate or capture a video clip ofimportant, positive footage (e.g., a score, steal, assist, rebound orother highlight 212) the user can press or tap the highlight clipelement 208. In the example shown, the highlight clip element 208 is afire symbol. To generate or capture a video clip of important, negativefootage (e.g., a turnover, missed shot, error, mistake, blunder,underperformance, inappropriate behavior of a coach, or other lowlight)the user can press or tap the lowlight clip element 210. In the exampleshown, the lowlight clip element 210 is an ice or icicle symbol. Whenthe user is ready, such as at the end of the game, the user can press ortap the wrap-up or exit element 206. In response, the programmed device120 displays the publish decision interface 156 (FIG. 13A) which, inturn, displays the continue recording element 158 and publish nowelement 160, as described above.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 26, the programmed device 120generates a recording interface 214 in response to the user's activationof the video camera symbol 78 (FIG. 3A). In this embodiment, therecording interface 214 displays a set of statistics symbols 216. In thebasketball example shown, the statistics symbols 216 include a threepoint symbol 218, a two point symbol 220, a free throw (one point)symbol 222, an assist symbol 224, a block symbol 226, a rebound symbol228, a steal symbol 230, and a turnover symbol 232.

In an embodiment, the recording interface 214 enables the user togenerate video clips while recording statistics through use of thestatistics symbols 216. Depending upon the embodiment, the recordinginterface 214: (a) displays the solid images of the statistics symbols216 on top of the recorded imagery; or (b) displays the translucent orpartially transparent images of the statistics symbols 216 on top of therecorded imagery.

In an embodiment, the recording interface 214 includes and displays astatistics icon (not shown), such as an image of a clipboard orstatistics book. During the recording session, the recording interface214 displays such statistics icon, and the default is to hide (orotherwise not display) the statistics symbols 216. When the user pressesthe statistics icon, the recording interface 214 displays or pops-up thestatistics symbols 216. This enables the user to select the appropriatestatistics symbols 216 to record the applicable statistic.

In various embodiments described above, the type of inputs from the userto the programmed device 120 involves a touching or tapping of thetouchscreen 148. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments,the user can provide alternate types of inputs. In such embodiments, itis not necessary for the programmed device 120 to have a touchscreen148.

In an embodiment, the system 13 enables the programmed device 120 toreceive audio or sound inputs for voice commands. In a setup process,the programmed device 120 enables the user to train the programmeddevice 120 to recognize sound signatures or unique voice sounds producedby the user. For example, the user can output different oral statementsinto the microphone of the programmed device 120. The oral statementscorresponds to different types of statistics, such as “ONE,” “TWO,”“THREE,” “ASSIST,” “REBOUND,” “STEAL,” “BLOCK,” and “TURNOVER.”

In this embodiment, the programmed device 120 includes a comparator thatcompares the user's unique voice to the environmental sounds, such asthe roars of the crowd and voice commands of other attendees in theaudience who are using programmed devices 120 on their electronicdevices. The comparator identifies the user's voice so that theprogrammed device 120 does not register non-user sounds as voicecommands by the user. In an embodiment, the programmed device 12includes a sound confusion inhibitor that enables the user to record aunique voice activation sound, such as the first name, last name,initial or jersey number of the particular player for which the user isrecording statistics. For example, the voice activation sound could be“JOHN,” JUSTICE″ or “J.” In such example, the oral statementscorresponding to the different types of statistics could be as follows:“J ONE,” “J TWO,” “J THREE,” “J ASSIST,” “J REBOUND,” “J STEAL,” “JBLOCK,” and “J TURNOVER.” If the user does not speak “J” before speakingthe applicable statistic, the system 13 will not record such statistic.

In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 displays a pop-up orconfirmation of the recorded statistic to confirm the statistic that theuser input through his/her voice. For example, the system 13 can causethe programmed device 120 to display “ONE POINT” by itself or “ONEPOINT” adjacent to a garbage symbol, in which case the user can pressthe garbage symbol if such statistic is wrong. If the user taps thegarbage symbol, the programmed device 120 discards or otherwise does notrecord such erroneous statistic.

In another embodiment, the programmed device 120 enables the user toprovide inputs through physical interaction with the programmed device120, such as by applying forces to the programmed device 120,accelerating or moving the programmed device 120 or changing theorientation or position of the programmed device 120 (e.g., rotating ortwisting the programmed device 120). In such embodiment, the programmeddevice 120 includes one or more sensors (including, but not limited to,accelerometers) configured to sense or detect forces, light changes,movement or positional change of the programmed device 120. For example,to start or stop a recording session, the system 13 can enable the userto quickly turn the programmed device 120 face up (to start) or facedown (to stop). In another example, the system 13 can enable the user torecord inputs for different statistics by: (a) sharply tapping the backcase of the programmed device 120 one time to record one point; (b)sharply tapping the back case of the programmed device 120 two times torecord two points; and (c) sharply tapping the back case of theprogrammed device 120 three times to record three points.

As described above, the recording options 110 (FIG. 6A) enable the userto select the default or standard cutback 116 and cutforward 120 or toinput a custom cutback 118 and custom cutforward 122. The user can, forexample, input ten seconds for the custom cutback 118. If the userselects the standard cutback 116 (e.g., five seconds), the videogenerator 28 reaches backward five seconds to initiate the cut for theapplicable video clip, as described below.

In an embodiment, when the user provide an input to generate a videoclip, the programmed device 120 displays a cutback pop-up 234 asillustrated in FIG. 27. This enables the user to switch to the customcutback 118 on a case-by-case basis. For example, a player may have beeninvolved in action that lasted for a relatively long period, such as a75 yard run by a football player or a basketball player's steal, thenturnover, then recovery of the ball, then drive and dunk. If the userencounters such lengthy action, the user may desire to tap the cutbackpop-up 234. In response, the programmed device 120 will cut thebeginning of the clip, ten seconds before the time of the user's clipinput.

Referring to FIGS. 28-30B, in an embodiment, the electronic device 120generates a video through a clipping process. During the recordingsession, the video generator 28 of the programmed device 120 is operableto generate a data list 236. Also, during the recording session, theprogrammed device 120 generates a video track 238 (FIGS. 30A-30B) over aperiod of time.

In the examples described, the time increments are seconds. It should beappreciated, however, that the time increments can be milliseconds orany other suitable increment. Also, the programmed device 120 isoperable to generate and store the video track 238 through a ratecapture rate within the range of thirty to one thousand frames persecond (FPS) or through a rate capture rate of any other suitable FPS.

In the example shown, once the recording session starts, the programmeddevice 120 generates and stores a continuous stream, track or series oftimestamps in chronological order based on a suitable time increment. Inthe example shown, the increment is seconds, and the programmed device120 generated timestamps one through twenty-three. In this example, theuser provided a first clip input at the point of twelve seconds, asindicated by the first arrow A1 shown in FIG. 30B. In response, theprogrammed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarked the twelve secondpoint by storing a suitable data marker A1 (FIG. 28), which correspondsto the first clip input. At the same time or thereafter, the programmeddevice 120 flagged, marked or bookmarked the seven second point bystoring a suitable data marker A2 (FIG. 28), which corresponds to thefirst rearward point. Later, the user provided a second clip input atthe point of twenty seconds, as indicated by the second arrow A3 shownin FIG. 30B. In response, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked orbookmarked the twenty second point by storing a suitable data marker A3(FIG. 29), which corresponds to the second clip input. At the same timeor thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarkedthe fifteen second point by storing a suitable data marker A4 (FIG. 29),which corresponds to the second rearward point.

As illustrated in FIG. 30B, the video track 238 includes a video clip X1between the data markers A2 and A1, and the video track 238 includes avideo clip X2 between the data markers A4 and A3. In this example,during the recording session the programmed device 120 automaticallycut-out and deleted the excess tracks 240, 242 from the video track 238,and the programmed device 120 automatically deleted the excess track 240before recording the excess track 242. As described above, this helpspreserve data storage capacity on the programmed device 120. In anembodiment, the programmed device 120 automatically deletes the excesstrack 240 immediately in response to the first clip input at A1, and theprogrammed device 120 automatically deletes the excess track 242immediately in response to the second clip input at A3. In otherembodiments, as described below, the programmed device 120 deletes theexcess tracks after the recording session ends, not during the recordingsession.

In another embodiment, the clipping process involves look-rearward andlook-forward steps. In the example shown in FIGS. 30-33, once therecording session starts, the video generator 28 of programmed device120 is operable to generate a data list 244. The video generator 28stores a continuous stream, track or series of timestamps inchronological order based on a suitable time increment. In the exampleshown, the increment is seconds, and the programmed device 120 generatedtimestamps one through twenty-three. In this example, the user provideda first clip input at the point of ten seconds, as indicated by thefirst arrow B1 shown in FIG. 33. In response, the programmed device 120flagged, marked or bookmarked the ten second point by storing a suitabledata marker B1 (FIG. 31), which corresponds to the first clip input. Atthe same time or thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, markedor bookmarked the five second point by storing a suitable data marker B2(FIG. 31), which corresponds to the first rearward point. Simultaneouslyor a moment thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked orbookmarked the twelve second point by storing a suitable data marker B3(FIG. 31), which corresponds to the first forward point.

Later, the user provided a second clip input at the point of twentyseconds, as indicated by the second arrow B4 shown in FIG. 33. Inresponse, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarked thetwenty second point by storing a suitable data marker B4 (FIG. 32),which corresponds to the second clip input. At the same time orthereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarked thefifteen second point by storing a suitable data marker B5 (FIG. 32),which corresponds to the second rearward point. Simultaneously or amoment thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked orbookmarked the twenty-two second point by storing a suitable data markerB6 (FIG. 33), which corresponds to the second forward point.

As illustrated in FIG. 33, the video track 238 includes a video clip X2extending continuously between the data markers B2 and B3, and the videotrack 238 includes a video clip X3 extending continuously between thedata markers B6 and B5. In this example, during the recording sessionthe programmed device 120 automatically cut-out and deleted the excesstracks 246, 248 from the video track 238, and the programmed device 120automatically deleted the excess track 246 before recording the excesstrack 248. As described above, this helps preserve data storage capacityon the programmed device 120. In other embodiments, as described below,the programmed device 120 deletes the excess tracks after the recordingsession ends, not during the recording session.

In another embodiment, the clipping process involves interferencemanagement in addition to the look-rearward and look-forward stepsdescribed above. In the example shown in FIGS. 34-36, once the recordingsession starts, the video generator 28 of programmed device 120 isoperable to generate a data list 250. The video generator 28 stores acontinuous stream, track or series of timestamps in chronological orderbased on a suitable time increment. In the example shown, the incrementis seconds, and the programmed device 120 generated timestamps onethrough twenty-three. In this example, the user provided a first clipinput at the point of ten seconds, as indicated by the first arrow C1shown in FIG. 36. In response, the programmed device 120 flagged, markedor bookmarked the ten second point by storing a suitable data marker C1(FIG. 34), which corresponds to the first clip input. At the same timeor thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarkedthe five second point by storing a suitable data marker C2 (FIG. 36),which corresponds to the first rearward point. At the same time orthereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked or bookmarked thetwelve second point by storing a suitable data marker C3 (FIG. 36),which corresponds to the first forward point.

Later, the user provided a second clip input at the point of fourteenseconds, as indicated by the second arrow C4 shown in FIG. 36. Notably,the second clip input occurs soon after the first clip input, only fourseconds later. This could occur, for example, if the user provides asequence of two or more clip inputs in rapid successions to captureseparate, important moments, such as a football player's sacking of aquarterback, obtaining the football and then scoring a touchdown. Sincethe clip inputs occur close in time, the programmed device 120 ensuresthat subsequent clip inputs do not interfere with previously capturedvideo clips and do not cause the deletion of desired video clips.

Accordingly, in response to the second clip input at C4, the programmeddevice 120 checks to determine whether any forward point timestamp hasbeen marked that occurs in time less than five seconds before the secondclip input C4. In this case, five seconds before C4 is the nine secondpoint, and the first forward point C3 occurs at the twelve second point.Consequently, the programmed device 120 uses the marker C3 as the datamarker for the second rearward point. Therefore, the data marker C3 isassociated with both a forward point and a rearward point. At the sametime or thereafter, the programmed device 120 flagged, marked orbookmarked the sixteen second point by storing a suitable data marker C5(FIG. 36), which corresponds to the second forward point.

As illustrated in FIG. 36, the video track 238 includes a video clip X4extending continuously between the data markers C2 and C3, and the videotrack 238 includes a video clip X5 extending continuously between thedata markers C3 and C5. In this example, during the recording sessionthe programmed device 120 automatically cut-out and deleted the excesstrack 252 from the video track 238, and the programmed device 120automatically deleted the excess track 252 after determining that therearward point C2 is not the forward point of any previous video clip.As described above, in this example, the second clip input C4 did notcause the programmed device 120 to delete any portion of video clip X4because the programmed device 120 determined that the rearward point C3of the video clip X5 is the forward point C3 of video clip X4. Anadvantage of this interference management function is to safeguardagainst the undesirable deletion of video clips. In other embodiments,as described below, the programmed device 120 deletes the excess tracksafter the recording session ends, not during the recording session.

Referring to FIGS. 37-38, in an embodiment, the programmed device 120generates a video based on a bookmarking process. First, as indicated bystep 254, the programmed device 120 receives an input that starts therecording session, such as the user's tapping of the start/stop element144 (FIG. 8) or start/stop element 204 (FIG. 24A). In this example, theuser taps the start/stop element at the zero time point. As indicated bystep 256, the programmed device 120 then records the event (e.g., abasketball game or debate competition), and the programmed device 120continuously stores or saves the footage or video track 238 as the eventis being recorded. The programmed device 120 can save the video track238 within a memory device component of the programmed device 120,within a data storage disk operatively coupled to the programmed device120, or within a data storage device that is remote from the programmeddevice 120, such as a webserver or data storage device 12 (FIG. 1).

During the recording session, the programmed device 120 determineswhether the user has provided a stop input as indicated by the decisiondiamond 258. If the answer is yes, the programmed device 120 pauses orstops the recording session, as indicated by the step 260, and thenawaits for another start input as indicated by the step 254. If theanswer is no, the programmed device 120 continues the recording session.

During the recording session, the programmed device 120 is operable toreceive a plurality of different statistic inputs from the user asindicated by step 262. The programmed device 120 stores the statistics(e.g., statistical data) associated with the statistic inputs. Theprogrammed device 120 can save the statistics within a memory devicecomponent of the programmed device 120, within a data storage diskoperatively coupled to the programmed device 120, or within a datastorage device that is remote from the programmed device 120, such as awebserver or data storage device 12 (FIG. 1).

Next, the programmed device 120 receives a clip input at an input timepoint as indicated by step 264. Next, as indicated by step 266, theprogrammed device 120 performs the following steps: (a) flags orbookmarks the input time point; (b) flags or bookmarks a rearward timepoint at R seconds (e.g., five seconds) before the input time point; and(c) flags or bookmarks a forward time point at F seconds (e.g., twoseconds) after the input time point.

The automatic marking rearward in time and the automatic marking forwardin time solve a pervasive problem experienced by typical users of priorart (conventional) recording devices. Users often miss important footagebecause they start or stop the video recording at the wrong times. Forexample, to save data storage capacity, users manually decide when tostart and stop recording. When distracted, they often press the startbutton too late, so that the first part of the important footage islost. Also, they often press the stop button too early, cutting offimportant footage. The programmed device 120 solves this problem byenabling the user to continuously record, taking advantage of theauto-deletion function described below. While recording, the programmeddevice 120 automatically captures the valuable moments by causing theclip marking to occur rearward and forward of the user's input timepoint.

After step 266, the programmed device 120 determines whether therearward time point precedes the forward time point of the previousvideo clip, if any, as indicated by decision diamond 268. This step isimportant to avoid the undesired deletion of previously saved videoclips, as described above. If the answer is no, the programmed device120 proceeds to step 270. If the answer is yes, the programmed device120 proceeds to step 272.

The answer may be no because there were no previously saved video clips.Also, the answer may be no because the forward time point of the mostrecently saved video clip is before the rearward time point. In anycase, if the answer is no, the programmed device 120 automaticallydeletes the entire portion of the video track 238 that occurs betweenthe rearward time point and the forward time point of the most recent,preceding video clip as indicated by step 270. If there are nopreviously saved video clips, the programmed device 120 automaticallydeletes the entire portion of the video track 238 that occurs before therearward time point.

The programmed device 120 achieves several technical advantages byperforming this auto-deletion function. Many events involve one or morerelatively short, valuable actions or moments nested among dull,uninteresting or unimportant moments. For example, this is often thecase for sports games, school debates, personal interviews and otherevents that are relatively long in duration. The prior art(conventional) process of editing a video after the recording isfinished, can be time consuming, painstaking and burdensome. Forexample, producing a highlight video using the prior art process cantake hours to edit the video tracks of an athlete's performance in asingle game. Consequently, many videos with valuable moments are rarelyviewed. People do not have the time or patience to watch long videosonly to see a few valuable moments in the video. Nonetheless, for thesake of saving the valuable moments, users commonly save the full lengthof the videos on their prior art (conventional) mobile devices or onprior art (conventional) webservers.

This causes their prior art (conventional) mobile devices to reachmaximum storage capacity, often in the midst of an event. Also, whenusers upload the full length videos to prior art (conventional)webservers, the webserver data centers consume substantial amounts ofenergy. For example, it has been reported that the data centers ofFacebook®, YouTube® and others consume the equivalent of the energyoutput of numerous coal-fired power plants. Much of this energy goes topowering the webservers and keeping them cool. This energy is known tocause greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in a rising level of globalpollution.

As described above, the auto-deletion function of the system 13 helpsfree-up data storage capacity in electronic devices 120 (e.g.,smartphones) and in data storage devices 12 (e.g., webservers). In anembodiment, while the user records an event, the programmed device 120purges or deletes the portions of the video track that contain dull,uninteresting or unvaluable footage. In such embodiment, the programmeddevice 120 performs this deletion dynamically during and throughout therecording session. By automatically deleting the excess tracks duringthe recording session, the programmed device 120 is less likely to reachmaximum data storage capacity.

After the deletion step 270, the programmed device 120 proceeds to step272. At step 272, the programmed device 120 retains or otherwise saves avideo clip that is the portion of the video track 238 between therearward time point and the forward time point. Accordingly, theprogrammed device 120 captures the applicable video clip of interest tothe user. In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 retains such videoclip within the video track 238 that is saved by the programmed device120. In another embodiment, the programmed device 120 generates andsaves a copy of such video clip and then deletes the original video clipfrom the video track 238.

As the recording session continues, the programmed device 120 receivesanother clip input at another input time point as indicated by step 274.Eventually, the user will be ready to end the recording session, such asat the end of the event. To do so, as indicated by step 276, the userprovides a publish input or finish input by providing an inputassociated with the wrap-up, finalization or publication of acompilation video. Depending upon the embodiment, the user can providethis finish input by pressing the exit element 145 (FIG. 8), coveringthe rear camera lens 154 (FIG. 11), providing a sound input or providinganother type of input.

In response to the finish input, the programmed device 120 performs thefollowing steps as indicated by step 278: (a) combines and consolidatesall of the saved video clips X1, X2, X3 (FIG. 38) in a chronologicalsequence with the first generated video clip occurring first, and thelast generated video clip occurring last, resulting in a compilationvideo 280 (FIG. 38); and (b) transfers the recorded stats to thepublication module 31. Based on the auto-deletion function describedabove, the programmed device 120 deleted the video track portions EXCESS1, EXCESS 2, and EXCESS 3 from the video track 238. In an embodiment,the compilation video 280, such as a highlight video or so-calledmixtape, has no blanks, null periods or blackout screens between thevideo clips X1, X2, X3. The compilation videos 60, 61, 62 shown in FIG.3A are videos, such as compilation video 280, produced by the programmeddevice 120. As described below, the programmed device 120 enables theuser to add the recorded stats to a front video image of the compilationvideo 280.

It should be appreciated that, depending upon the embodiment, theprogrammed device 120 can perform the auto-deletion function during orafter the recording session. For example, in an embodiment, theprogrammed device 120 deletes the track portions EXCESS 1, EXCESS 2, andEXCESS 3 after the recording session ends in response to the finishinput provided by the user. Such embodiment addresses the possibilitythat deleting the excess tracks during the recording session canoverload or impair the processor of programmed device 120 depending uponthe power of the processor. For example, by bookmarking during therecording without deleting, the processor of the programmed device 120will have more power availability to generate the video track 238. Byautomatically deleting the excess tracks after the recording session,the programmed device 120 is less likely to reach maximum data storagecapacity during subsequent recording sessions.

As illustrated in FIG. 39, in response to the finish input, theprogrammed device 120 generates processing interfaces 282, 284, 286.This indicates that the programmed device 120 is in the process ofgenerating the compilation video 280. Depending upon the embodiment,this process could take a fraction of second to several seconds. Next,referring to FIG. 40A, the programmed device 120 generates the primaryvideo categorizer interface 287 in accordance with the publicationmodule 31 (FIG. 1). The primary video categorizer interface 287 enablesthe user to enter a plurality of participant descriptors correspondingto a plurality of different descriptor categories, such as the eventtype, gender, age and zip code of or associated with the participant inthe event. In response to the next element 289, the programmed device120 generates the secondary video categorizer interface 288 inaccordance with the publication module 31 as illustrated by FIG. 40B.The secondary video categorizer interface 288 indicates a plurality ofselectable video categories, such as Athlete Highlights, AthleteDevelopment, Athlete Lowlights, AAU Team, Camp, College Recruiter,Physical Therapist, Sports Agent, Trainer and Tutor. In the exampleshown, the user selected the Athlete Highlights category.

In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 requires the user or videosubmitter to input at least one descriptor or a minimum amount ofdescriptors through the primary video categorizer interface 287. If thevideo submitter fails to do so, the programmed device 120 blocks,prevents or disables the distribution of the applicable compilationvideo to the home interface 54 (FIG. 3A). Accordingly, such video willnot be published through the home interface 54.

In another embodiment, the programmed device 120 requires the user orvideo submitter to input a minimum amount of descriptors through theprimary video categorizer interface 287 and the secondary videocategorizer interface 288. If the video submitter fails to do so, theprogrammed device 120 blocks, prevents or disables the distribution ofthe applicable compilation video to the home interface 54 (FIG. 3A).Accordingly, such video will not be published through the home interface54.

Referring again to FIG. 40B, in response to the user's selection of thenext element 291, the programmed device 120 generates a publicpublication interface 290 in accordance with the publication module 31as illustrated by FIG. 40C. As shown, the public publication interface290 shows the first frame 292 of the compilation video 280. Also, thepublic publication interface 290 displays a plurality of data fields,including: (a) a caption field enabling the user to enter textdescribing the video, such as “Power Bornfreedom's Triple-Double!;” (b)a game date field; (c) an athlete field for the name of the highlightedathlete who is registered with the system 13, which is selectable from alist of athletes via a search interface; (d) a video shooter field forthe name of the videographer or video producer (e.g., “MadSkilz TV”)registered with the system 13 who is selectable from a list of videoproducers via a search interface; (e) a home field enabling the user toenter text describing the name of the home team, such as “BrightmoreHigh School,” which may be selectable via a search interface; (f) amascot field for the name of the home team's mascot, which may bepre-populated based on the selection of the home team; (g) a visitorfield enabling the user to enter text describing the name of the visitorteam, such as “Calvary High School,” which may be selectable via asearch interface; (h) a league field for entry of the applicable sportsleague (e.g., “Chicago Public League”) which may be selectable via asearch interface; and (i) a plurality of statistics fields, such as apoints field, steals field, assists field, blocks field, rebounds fieldand turnovers field. If the user inputs statistics during the recordingsessions, as described above, the programmed device 120 automaticallypre-populates the statistics fields with the different totals of thestatistics input by the user. For example, the public publicationinterface 290 may automatically display “18” in the points field, “12”in the assists field, “10” in the rebounds field, “3” in the blocksfield, and “5” in the steals field. If any of the statics fields areblank because the user decided not to record or input the applicablestatistic during the recording session, the user can manually enterstatistical text in such field. Also, the user can override any of thepre-populated statistics fields by changing the statistical text in suchfield.

The public publication interface 290 also displays a sound field orsound symbol. By selecting the sound symbol, the user can upload,download or otherwise capture a desired sound track or musicalrecording. Depending upon the embodiment, the source of the sound trackcan be the local data storage of the programmed device 120 or awebserver. In an embodiment, once the user captures the sound track, theprogrammed device 120 automatically: (a) cuts or trims the length of thesound track to match the length of the compilation video 280; and (b)incorporates the sound track into the compilation video 280, replacingthe original audio of the compilation video 280 with the sound track.

After these steps, the user can press the public post element 294. Inresponse, the programmed device 120 generates the front video interface296 as illustrated in FIG. 41. In an embodiment, the front videointerface 296 includes: (a) at least one advertisement section 298providing space for a promotion or advertisement of a company ororganization, such as the sports drink advertisement 300; and (b) anathlete portrait section 302 providing space for an image or photo ofthe athlete displayed in the applicable compilation video 280, such asthe athlete photo 304; (c) a video summary section 306 displaying thekey information regarding the athlete, the event and the athlete'sstatistics, such as the athlete's name (e.g., Power Bornfreedom), jerseynumber (e.g., #15), high school (e.g., Brightmore High School), the date(e.g., 11/08/18), the final score of the game (e.g., Brightmore: 74,Calvary: 64), and the athlete's points, assists, rebounds, blocks andsteals.

In an embodiment, the participant center interface 308 (FIG. 51) enablesthe user (e.g., the athlete or the athlete's friend or parent) tocapture and store a photo of the athlete, such as the athlete photo 310shown in FIG. 41. In such case, the programmed device 120 automaticallyloads and displays the athlete photo 310 in the athlete portrait section302. If there is no prestored athlete photo, the front video interface296 enables the user to take a photo of the athlete or upload ordownload the athlete's photo from the programmed device 120 or awebserver. Then, the front video interface 296 enables the user tocapture and display such photo in the athlete portrait section 302. Ifthe user adds no photo to the athlete portrait section 302, theprogrammed device 120 adds the first frame of the compilation video 280to the athlete portrait section 302.

In publishing the compilation video 280, the programmed device 120transfers the compilation video 280 to the one or more data storagedevices 12 (FIG. 1). Using the search interface 312 (FIG. 3A), users(e.g., participants, fans and other non-participants) can locate, accessand view the compilation video 280, such as the compilation videos 60,61, 62 shown in FIG. 3A.

When the user clicks or selects a compilation video, such as thecompilation video 60 (FIG. 3A), the programmed device 120 displays thesocial interface 314 as illustrated in FIG. 42A. In an embodimentillustrated in FIG. 42A, the social interface 314 includes: (a) thefront video interface 296, which functions as the introductory frame orintroductory image of the compilation video 280; (b) the name, trademarkor identifier 316 of the video shooter, for example, “MadSkilz TV”; (c)a flame quantity 318; (d) a view quantity 320; (e) a share element 322,the selection of which enables users to share the compilation video 60with, or send the compilation video 60 to, other users; and (f) acomment element 324, the selection of which enables users to postcomments 325 related to the compilation video 60.

When the user taps, pauses or finishes watching the compilation video60, the programmed device 120 displays a flame rating interface 326 asillustrated in FIG. 42B. The flame rating interface 326 includes: (a) asmall flame 326 associated with a count of one flame, a relatively lowlevel of likeness; (b) a medium flame 327 associated with a count of twoflames, a moderate level of likeness; and (c) a large flame 331associated with a count of three flames, a relatively high level oflikeness. The system 13 keeps count of the quantity of flames input byusers, and the system 13 displays the current flame total at the flamequantity 318.

In an embodiment, the system 13 calculates a fire rating 390 (FIG. 52A),an internal metric, that depends on the current quantity of flames andthe current quantity of views. In an embodiment, the fire rating isequal to the current quantity of flames divided by the current quantityof views resulting in a flames per view metric. This ratio reflects theassumption that a highly interesting video should have a relatively highquantity of flames per view.

In an embodiment, the system 13 includes a video auto-deletion functionto automatically purge the one or more data storage devices 12 ofredundant videos—videos that highlight the same athlete in the sameevent. This video auto-deletion function reduces clutter and savesstorage space in the one or more data storage devices 12. Also, thisvideo auto-deletion function simplifies the home interface 54 (FIG. 3A)so that users do not have to sort through redundant videos. In anembodiment, the system 13 determines the first-in time at which eachcompilation video 280 is published (e.g., 10:20 pm Eastern Time,11/26/2018), and the system 13 also determines a video profileassociated with such video, such as the name of the highlighted athlete,the date of the game, and the names of the home and visitor teams. Thesystem 13 has a setting for a designated time window. The time windowstarts or opens at the first-in time, and the time window ends or closesat a designated time point following such first-in time (e.g., fourhours after the first-in time or 2:20 am Eastern Time, 11/27/2018). Thesystem 13 determines the fire rating (e.g., flames per view) of eachsubsequent compilation video 280 with the same video profile that ispublished within the time window. The system 13 compares the fireratings and determines which one of such compilation videos 280 has thehighest fire rating. Next, the system 13 automatically deletes all ofthe other compilation videos 280. At that point, only the compilationvideo 280 with the highest fire rating, considered the winning video,remains stored in the one or more data storage devices 12.

In an embodiment, the system 13 automatically blocks the publication ofcompilation videos 280 of such video profile once the time window endsor closes. In this case, the programmed device 120 automaticallydisplays a closed indicator (e.g., “POSTING TIME ENDED” or “CLOSED”)when the user enters enough data in the public publication interface 290(FIG. 40C). For example, the user may enter the game date, athlete name,home team and visitor team. In response, the programmed device 120 maydisplay “CLOSED” and disable the submit element 294.

In an embodiment, the system 13 enables the athlete highlighted in thewinning compilation video 280 to replace such compilation video 280 withan alternate compilation video 280 published by the athlete. This may bedesirable, for example, if such athlete is displeased with the qualityof the winning compilation video 280. Depending upon the embodiment, thesystem 13 can also enable such athlete to takedown or delete winningcompilation videos 280 that emphasize such player's mistakes or poor orunflattering performance.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 43A, the user selected AthleteLowlights in the secondary video categorizer interface 288. The AthleteLowlights category is associated with a private setting corresponding tothe private posting interface 328. In response to the user's inputthrough the private post element 329, the programmed device 120transfers the lowlight compilation video 280 to the participant module32 (FIG. 1). This makes the lowlight compilation video 280 privatelyaccessible to the user through the participant center interface 308shown in FIG. 50A, as described below.

In many cases, relatively low profile events, such as amateur sportsgames and high school games, receive little, if any, media coverage.Many of the events are not broadcast live by news channels. As a result,the participants do not receive timely exposure from the events, whichcan result in lost opportunities. Furthermore, the information that doescirculate, such as a player's statistics or performance, can beinaccurate. For example, a high school team may have a game that is notcovered by the local news media. When the game finishes at 9:00 pm on aFriday, a spectator might publish a Twitter™ message, such as “ChrisCarlson scores 34 in Brightmore Tigers' win over Glendale Bears!” Inthis example, such information is false or fake news. The truth is thatChris Carlson scored 22 points, and the Glendale Bears won the game. Themisinformation can be inaccurate or misleading. This can cause harm tothe reputation and opportunities of the event participants.

In an embodiment, the verification module 34 (FIG. 1) in conjunctionwith the publication module 31, described above, provides an improvementto overcome or lessen these disadvantages. In an embodiment, theverification module 34 enables a crowd or relatively large pool of usersto help verify or increase the reliability of the event informationprovided by submitters of compilation videos 280.

As described above, the public publication interface 290 (FIG. 40C)includes a plurality of data fields related to the event (e.g., game).Any user attending the game can use any programmed device 120 to entertext into these fields and press the submit element 294 (FIG. 40C). Thesystem 13 processes the event data entered by each such user.

In an embodiment, the verification module 34 includes verification logicthat is executable to compare the event data provided by one user for acertain video profile to the event data provided by the other users forthe same video profile. If the system 13 determines that the event dataof a designated quantity of users match, the system 13 confirms suchevent data as verified and indicates the verification by displaying averification indicator 330 (FIG. 42A) within the social interface 314.

For example, thirty users may submit thirty compilation videos 280 withthe same video profile within one hour after the end of a Friday nighthigh school basketball game, resulting in a sequence of event datasubmissions one through thirty as follows:

Submission Final Score Comparison 1 Brightmore 74, Calvary 68 Match 2Brightmore 74, Calvary 68 Match 3 Brightmore 70, Calvary 66 4 Brightmore72, Calvary 85 5 Brightmore 74, Calvary 68 Match 6 Brightmore 74,Calvary 68 Match 7 Brightmore 74, Calvary 68 Match . . . . . . . . . 30 . .

In this example, the system 13 includes a verification factor thatrequires a minimum of five final score submissions to match each other.Once the first five submissions have matching final scores, the system13 designates the final score as verified or confirmed. Then, the system13 automatically either: (a) adds the confirmed event data 316 (FIG. 41)to the front video interface 296 of each one of the compilation videos280; or (b) changes the existing, original data of such compilationvideos 280 to match the confirmed event data 316. This verification orconfirmation functionality increases the credibility and objectivity ofthe video information published through the system 13, which enablesrecruiters, colleges and other users to place greater reliance on thevideo information for athlete evaluation purposes.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 44-48, the system 13 includesan empirical evidence-based verification or confirmation system. Asindicated by step 332, the programmed device 120 receives a videosubmission from a user incorporating a report or event data thatincludes text of the home team's name, home team's mascot, visitorteam's name, home team's final score, and visitor team's final score. Asindicated by step 334, based on the user's permission, the system 13tracks the geographic location of the programmed device 120 uponreceiving the report or within a relatively short time period (e.g.,five seconds) after receiving the report. In an embodiment, the system13 is operatively coupled to a webserver having the addresses of thehome team. Based on that address information and the location tracking,the system 13 determines whether the current location of the programmeddevice 120 is within a designated area surrounding (or radius from) thevenue of the home team as indicated by decision diamond 336. Forexample, the system 13 may determine whether the programmed device 120is within one thousand feet or one-half mile from the stadium of thehome team. If the answer is no, the programmed device 120 indicates thatthe confirmation or verification is incomplete as indicated by step 338and verification failure indicator 339 (FIG. 48C). This is based on thereasoning that the report is more likely to be accurate if it isreceived by a user who is physically present at or nearby the locationof the event. If the answer is yes, the programmed device 120 generatesan image submitted by the user pertaining to the event as indicated byblock 340. In an embodiment, the image includes a photo of an outcomeindicator 342 (FIG. 46), such as the physical scoreboard mounted to thestadium wall or otherwise coupled to the stadium or gymnasium. Next, thesystem 13 receives and converts the image evidence to text and analyzesthe text, determining the following information displayed on the outcomeindicator 342: the home team's name, home team's mascot's name, visitorteam's name, home team's score, and the remaining game time as indicatedby block 344. The system 13 can convert such image to text throughoptical character recognition (OCR) or any other suitable conversionmethod.

Next, as indicated by decision block 346, the system 13 determineswhether the text extracted from the outcome indicator 342 indicates: (a)zero seconds of remaining game time 347; and (b) a home score 348 andvisitor score 350 that match the corresponding data reported with thecompilation video 280 submitted by the user. If the answer is no, theprogrammed device 120 indicates that the confirmation or verification isincomplete as indicated by step 338 and verification failure indicator339 (FIG. 48C). If the answer is yes, the system 13 determines, asindicated by decision block 352, whether the system 13 has received Xnumber of one or more reports of the same video profile that: (a) haveno discrepancy with a certain percentage of the other reports; and/or(c) have no discrepancy with the text evidence extracted from theoutcome indicator 342. Next, as indicated by block 354, the system 13filters the data reported with the compilation video 280, determines anysuch data that conflicts with the text evidence extracted from theoutcome indicator 342, and automatically replaces such data with theapplicable text data derived from the outcome indicator 342. Theprogrammed device 120 then generates the verification success indicator355 (FIG. 48B) and the verification indicator 330 (FIG. 42A). Asindicated by block 356, the system 13 then transfers the verified datato the participant module 32 of the athlete who is identified within thevideo profile of such compilation video 280. Next, as indicated by step358, the programmed device 120 indicates benefits to such athlete basedon such verified data, as described below.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 45, the programmed device 120receives a video submission from a user incorporating a report or eventdata as indicated by block 361. The report or event data can includetext of the home team's name, home team's mascot, visitor team's name,home team's final score, and visitor team's final score. The programmeddevice 120 then generates one or more images submitted by the userpertaining to the event as indicated by block 363. In an embodiment, theone or more images include a photo 323 (FIG. 47A) of the outcomeindicator 342 (FIG. 46) and a photo 365 (FIG. 47B) of a mascot name 364(FIG. 46) painted or mounted to the stadium wall or otherwise coupled tothe stadium or gymnasium.

The mascot name 364 can be indicated on a banner, on a painted sectionof a wall, on the outcome indicator 342 or on another physical displaymedium 366 (FIG. 46). In the example shown, the mascot name is “TIGERS.”Next, as indicated by decision diamond 365, the system 13 determineswhether the photo of the mascot name 364 was submitted by the user (andreceived by the system 13) within a designated period of time (e.g.,five seconds) after the system 13 received the user's submission of thephoto of the outcome indicator 342. If the answer is no, the programmeddevice 120 indicates that the verification is incomplete as indicated byblock 367 and verification failure indicator 339 (FIG. 48C). This isbased on the reasoning that, if the user is actually at the site of thegame, the user will be able to photograph the outcome indicator 342 andthe mascot name 364 in quick succession.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 47, the programmed device 120displays image capture interfaces 369, 371. The image capture interface369 enables the user to photograph and upload the scoreboard photo 323,and the image capture interface 371 enables the user to photograph andupload the mascot banner photo 365.

Referring back to FIG. 45, if the answer to decision diamond 365 is yes,the system 13 receives and converts the image evidence to text andanalyzes the text, determining the following information displayed onthe outcome indicator 342: the home team's name, home team's mascot'sname, visitor team's name, home team's score, and the remaining gametime as indicated by block 369. The system 13 can convert such image totext through OCR or any other suitable conversion method.

Next, as indicated by decision block 373, the system 13 determineswhether the text extracted from the outcome indicator 342 indicates: (a)zero seconds of remaining game time 347; and (b) a home score 348 andvisitor score 350 that match the corresponding data reported with thecompilation video 280 submitted by the user. If the answer is no, theprogrammed device 120 indicates that the confirmation or verification isincomplete as indicated by step 367 and verification failure indicator339 (FIG. 48C). If the answer is yes, the system 13 determines, asindicated by decision block 375, whether the system 13 has received Xnumber of one or more reports of the same video profile that: (a) haveno discrepancy with a certain percentage of the other reports; and/or(c) have no discrepancy with the text evidence extracted from theoutcome indicator 342. Next, as indicated by block 377, the system 13filters the data reported with the compilation video 280, determines anysuch data that conflicts with the text evidence extracted from theoutcome indicator 342, and automatically replaces such data with theapplicable text data derived from the outcome indicator 342. Theprogrammed device 120 then generates the verification success indicator355 (FIG. 48B) and the verification indicator 330 (FIG. 42). Asindicated by block 379, the system 13 then transfers the verified datato the participant module 32 of the athlete who is identified within thevideo profile of such compilation video 280. Next, as indicated by step381, the programmed device 120 indicates benefits to such athlete basedon such verified data, as described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 48A-48C, the programmed device 120 displays: (a)the verification in process indicator 382 (e.g., an image or animationof a basketball moving toward a hoop) during the verification processesdescribed above; (b) the verification success indicator 355 (e.g., animage or animation of a basketball within a hoop) in response to asuccessful verification of reported video data; and (c) a verificationfailure indicator 339 (e.g., an image or animation of a basketballoutside of a hoop) in response to a failure of an attempted verificationdescribed above.

Many types of events, such as sports games, talent shows, theatricalplays and concerts, have venues where relatively large numbers of peopleattend. At the end of the event, the participants, their friends in theaudience and other attendees often are hungry and wish to visit a localrestaurant or eatery for a meal or snack. The food providers orrestaurants compete with each other for these customers. Often times,restaurants located further from the venue receive less customers fromthe event than those restaurants located closer to the venue.

At or after the end of the event, the system 13 receives, verifies andtransfers the event outcome data to the participant module 32 asdescribed above. Referring to FIGS. 49A-49B, in an embodiment, thesystem 13 determines when a logged-in user is a participant (e.g., anathlete) who is registered with the system 13, as described below. Forexample, a registered athlete may access the system 13 through aprogrammed device 120 in the locker room shortly after the game ends. Ifthe athlete's team won the game, the programmed device 120 displays awinner benefit interface 341 as illustrated in FIG. 49A. If theathlete's team lost the game, the programmed device 120 displays a loserbenefit interface 343 as illustrated in FIG. 49B.

The winner benefit interface 341 displays: (a) the verified eventoutcome data 344; (b) a win indicator 349, such as “Enjoy a treat foryour win!”; (c) an expiration notice 348, such as “Expires at 11:37 pm”;(d) a plurality of award indicators or benefit indicators 350, such asfree food items offered by various fast food restaurants; and (e)benefit terms 352, such as “Good for you and 4 friends!”

The loser benefit interface 343 displays: (a) the verified event outcomedata 344; (b) a win indicator 354, such as “Enjoy a treat for youreffort!”; (c) an expiration notice 348, such as “Expires at 11:37 pm”;(d) a plurality of award indicators or benefit indicators 356, such asfood discounts and free food items offered by various fast foodrestaurants; and (e) benefit terms 358, such as “Good for you and 2friends!” In this example, the value of the benefit indicators 356 isless than the value of the benefit indicators 350. Similarly, thebenefit terms 358 are less favorable than the benefit terms 352. Itshould be appreciated that, in other examples, the interfaces 341, 342can have different expiration notices 348 and other differences thatgrant more favor to the winning registered player than the losingregistered player.

With the benefits indicated by the winner benefit indicator 340 or thelosing benefit indicator 342, as applicable, the registered athlete canvisit the applicable restaurant, before the applicable expiration time,with companions or friends. Upon arrival, for example, a winning athletecan obtain five items of large fries for the athlete and four friends.The transaction can be performed through different methods. In anembodiment, the programmed device 120 displays a unique code, such as aunique numeric or alphanumeric code or a scannable code (e.g., a 1D or2D barcode, such as QR code datamatrix). In another embodiment, theprogrammed device 120 generates a signal, such as a radio frequency(“RF”) or infrared radiation (“IR”) signal. In yet another embodiment,to enroll for the benefit indicated at winner benefit indicator 341 andthe losing benefit indicator 342, the benefit providers or restaurantsrequire the participants to create loyalty card accounts with therestaurants, associating the participants' phone numbers with theiraccounts. Depending upon the embodiment, the cashiers of the restaurantscan ascertain the benefits awarded to the participants by: (a) enteringcodes provided by the participants; (b) scanning barcodes displayed onthe participants' programmed devices 120; (c) establishing an electroniccommunication between the point of sale machines and the programmeddevices 120 to receive signals from the programmed devices 120; (d)entering the participants' phone numbers; or (e) any other suitablebenefit transfer method. In an embodiment, each benefit provider (e.g.,restaurant) has a webserver, database or benefit source 44 (FIG. 1) thatis operatively coupled to the system 13 through the network 16. Suchbenefit provider manages the distribution and accounting of benefits(e.g., discounts and freebies) to each unique event participant who isregistered through the system 13.

In an embodiment, the programmed devices 120 are enabled for near-fieldcommunication (“NFC”). For example, the programmed devices 120 can haveRF transceivers, NFC protocols and NFC code operable to perform NFC withthe point of sale devices of restaurants and other providers. Forexample, the NFC code can include a mobile wallet app such as GoogleWallet™ or Apple Pay™. In another embodiment, the participant module 32(FIG. 1) includes computer code the enables users to load their credit,debit, gift and loyalty cards to the system 13 so that they may usetheir programmed devices 120 to make payments and perform transactionsin stores. In yet another embodiment, the system 13 is operativelycoupled to the Samsung Pay™ platform to enable such functionality.

As described above, the user can tap or activate the menu element 81 tocause the programmed device 120 to display the features interface 82(FIG. 3B). At any time, the user can tap or activate the participantcenter element 90 of the features interface 82. In response, theprogrammed device 120 will display the participant center interface 308,as illustrated in FIG. 50A. The participant center interface 308 has:(a) a public zone 360 that archives and stores the registeredparticipant's information, images and videos intended for publicviewing; and (b) a private zone 362 that archives and stores theregistered participant's information, images and videos that areintended to be kept private. In the example shown, the public zone 360includes personal data, highlight compilation videos, one or moreinterview videos for viewing by colleges and recruiters, one or morereference videos provided by teachers or coaches, a personal photo ofthe participant, a biography page regarding the participant, and a videodistribution element for sending desired ones of these videos tocolleges, recruiters or others. In the example shown, the private zone362 includes lowlight videos, development videos (e.g., videos of theparticipant's training sessions) and a list of the participant's giftcards and sponsors.

The system 13 publishes the public zone 360 to the public, and thesystem 13 blocks public access to the private zone 362. The programmeddevice 120 enables the participant to provide select people (e.g.,trainers, coaches, family members or recruiters) with access to theprivate zone 362. It should be understood that the video generator 28(FIG. 1) could have been used to record and capture all of the videoswithin the public zone 360 and the private zone 362.

As illustrated in FIG. 50B, the programmed device 120 displays apersonal data interface 383 in response to the participant's activationof the personal data element 366. In the example shown, the personaldata interface 383 has a plurality data fields for collecting personaldata 368. In the example shown, the personal data 368 includes theparticipant's name, zip code, birthdate, school, GPA, ACT score, SATscore, sport, coach's name, position, height, and weight.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 13 enables the participant to setupdata feeds from a plurality of data sources 18 (e.g., webservers ordatabases) of entities including, but not limited to, schools 38,healthcare providers 40, and testing organizations 42. In an embodimentillustrated in FIG. 51A, the programmed device 120 displays a personaldata verification interface 370. The system 13, through communicationwith the data sources 18, automatically checks for matches between thepersonal data 368 input by the participant and the corresponding datadocumented in the records of the data sources 18. If there is a match,the personal data verification interface 370 indicates the match as averification. In the example shown, the verifications are indicated bycheckmarks. In addition, the programmed device 120 display averification progress interface 372 that indicates the participant'sprogress in obtaining verifications. In the example shown, theverification progress interface 372 displays a progress meter 374.

In response to the participant's activation of the highlight videoelement 378 (FIG. 50A), the highlight video interface 376 (FIG. 52A)displays the highlight compilation videos 380, 382, 384 generated by thevideo generator 28. Also, the highlight video interface 376 displays afire rating meter 386. The fire rating meter 386 displays the firerating 390 (as described above in flames per view) of the participant'shighest rated video 380.

As illustrated in FIG. 52B, the programmed device 120 displays aninterview video interface 392 in response to the participant'sactivation of the interview video element 394 (FIG. 50A). The interviewvideo interface 392 displays the participant's interview video 396.

As illustrated in FIG. 53A, the programmed device 120 displays areference video interface 398 in response to the participant'sactivation of the reference video element 400 (FIG. 50A). The referencevideo interface 398 displays the participant's interview videos 402,404, together with text regarding the interview videos. In the exampleshown, the text states the name and title of the interviewee, togetherwith the date of the interview.

As illustrated in FIG. 53B, the programmed device 120 displays abiography interface 406 in response to the participant's activation ofthe biography page element 408 (FIG. 50A). The biography interface 406displays a plurality of personal data fields 410. The participant canenter his/her data in the personal data fields 410.

Referring back to FIG. 50A, the participant can press or select the sendvideos element 409 of the public zone 360. In response to suchselection, the programmed device 120 displays a send videos interface411, as illustrated in FIG. 54A. In the example shown, the send videosinterface 411 displays the first frames of the highlight videos 380,382, 384, and the participant selected the highlight compilation video380. In response to such selection, the programmed device 120 displays arecipient interface 413. The recipient interface 413 displays aplurality of selectable recipients, which, in the example shown, includea Facebook™ account, an email account linked to a list of recruiters, aTwitter™ account, and a plurality of email addresses of designatedcontacts of a plurality of colleges A, B and C. The recipient interface413 also displays a search field 415 that enables the user to enter textto search for a prestored recipient. In response to the participant'sselection of one or more of the recipient elements 417, the programmeddevice 120 emails, sends or otherwise transfers the selected highlightcompilation video 380 to the recipients associated with the selectedrecipient elements 417.

In response to the participant's activation of the lowlight videoelement 414 (FIG. 50A) in the private zone 362, the programmed device120 displays a lowlight video interface 412 as illustrated in FIG. 55A.The lowlight video interface 412 displays the lowlight compilationvideos 416, 418 generated by the video generator 28. Also, the lowlightvideo interface 412 displays text associated with the lowlightcompilation videos 416, 418, such as “Weak defense, 11/12/17” or “Sloppypassing; not boxing-out, 12/08/17.”

As illustrated in FIG. 55B, the programmed device 120 displays adevelopment video interface 420 in response to the participant'sactivation of the development video element 422 (FIG. 50A). Thedevelopment video interface 420 displays the development compilationvideos 424, 426 generated by the video generator 28. Also, thedevelopment video interface 420 displays text associated with thedevelopment compilation videos 424, 426, such as “63 of 100 threes,04/13/18” or “Two-hand dunk, 10/05/17.”

As illustrated in FIG. 56, the programmed device 120 displays a giftcard interface 428 in response to the participant's activation of thegift card element 430 (FIG. 50A). The gift card interface 428 displays alist of the gift card accounts 432 of the various service providers andmerchants with whom the participant is registered. As shown, the giftcard interface 428 displays the purse values of the gift card accounts432.

As illustrated in FIG. 57A, the programmed device 120 displays a sponsorlevel interface 434 in response to the participant's activation of thesponsor element 436 (FIG. 50A). In the example shown, the sponsor levelinterface 434 displays: (a) an athlete rating 438 that is limited to oris derived from one or more of the following factors: the participant'sathletic performance statistics, the flame per view rating 390 (FIG.52A), the participant's biographical data, or any suitable combinationthereof; (b) a student rating 440 that is limited to or is derived fromone or more of the following factors: the participant's school grades,ACT score, SAT score or any suitable combination thereof; and (c) thefollower count 442 for the followers of the participant. Based on one ormore of the athlete rating 438, the student rating 440, and the followercount 442, the system 13 determines the sponsor level of theparticipant. In the example shown, the sponsor level interface 434displays a sponsor meter 444 having a plurality of thresholds indicatedby $, $$ and $$$. In this example, the participant's sponsor level hasrisen to the $$ sponsor level.

In response to the get sponsored element 446, the programmed device 120displays the sponsors interface 448 as illustrated in FIG. 57B. Thesponsors interface 448 displays the list of participating sponsors 450.In the example shown, the sponsors 450 include sports shoe manufacturersand sports drink manufacturers. The sponsors 450 have certain terms andconditions regarding the sponsorship. Once the participant decides uponone or more of the sponsors 450, the participant can proceed with one ormore of the sponsorships offered to the participant. In the exampleshown, the participant selected the Adidas element 452 corresponding tothe sponsorship offered by the Adidas™ company. In response, theprogrammed device 120 displays the sponsor account interface 454 asillustrated in FIG. 57C. In the example shown, the sponsor accountinterface 454 displays information regarding the Adidas™ sponsorship,including the sponsor's name, the expiration date of the sponsorship,the sponsorship level, the purse or wallet value of the sponsorship, thegift awarded, and the grant of free academic, test preparation courses.In the example shown, the participant will receive $239.17 in spendingmoney, a pair of free Adidas™ basketball shoes and a free ACT/SATpreparation course.

It can be difficult for event participants to find suitable partners orassistants for the pursuit of their objectives. For example, it can bechallenging for athletes to find suitable AAU teams, sports camps,college recruiters, trainers and other partners. The connector module 36(FIG. 1) provides an improvement to help overcome this challenge.Referring to FIG. 58A, the programmed device 120 executes the connectormodule 36 to display a connector interface 456 in response to the user'sselection of the connection symbol 80 or the connector element 92 (FIG.3B).

The connector interface 456, shown in FIG. 58A, enables the user (e.g.,an athlete, other participant or parent of a participant) to search for,review, assess and matchup with providers of services, products oropportunities, such as people, organizations or businesses. Theconnector interface 456 displays a listing element 458 and a connectionfacilitator element 460. In response to the user's selection of thelisting element 458, the programmed device 120 displays a listinginterface 462 as illustrated in FIG. 58B. The listing interface 462 isusable by users who are providers, such as owners, operators, employees,agents or representatives of businesses or organizations, including, butnot limited to, AAU teams/clubs, hosts of sports camps, athleticprograms, training businesses, recruiting businesses, physical therapybusinesses, healthcare providers and other providers of services orgoods. As shown, the listing interface 462 displays a plurality of datafields, including, but not limited to, category (e.g., trainer or AAUteam), name, address, description, logo, tryout schedule andrequirements, practice schedule, game schedule, fees, director's name,website address, contact information, payment method and otherinformation.

In response to the user's selection of the connection facilitatorelement 460, the programmed device 120 displays a connection searchinterface 464 as illustrated in FIG. 59A. The connection searchinterface 464 displays a type filter 466, a location filter 468 and asort element 470. The activation of the type filter 466 enables the userto select a desired category or type of provider from a list of types orcategories of providers. In the example shown, the list includes AAUteam, camp, college recruiter, physical therapist, sports agent, trainerand tutor. The location filter 468 enables the user to filter theservice/goods provider by specified location. The programmed device 120displays the search results based on the sort preferences set by theuser through the sort element 470.

In the example shown in FIG. 59A, the user selected the AAU teamcategory 472 for the category or type 466, entered zip code 60649 forthe location 468, and selected rating 474 for the sort element 470. Inresponse, the programmed device 120 displayed the search resultsinterface 476. In this example, the search results interface 476displays a list of AAU basketball clubs, including the quantity ofreviews and star rating on a scale of one to five stars. The club withthe highest rating is displayed at the top of the list.

Continuing with this example, the user selected the Chicago Blaze club478. In response, the programmed device 120 displayed the providerinterface 480 as illustrated in FIG. 60A. The provider interface 480displayed a plurality of review interfaces 482, 484, 486. Each of thereview interfaces 482, 484, 486 is associated with a compilation videoor other video produced by a user through the video generator 28 asdescribed above. In this embodiment, each review interface 482, 484, 486displays a locked mode by default as follows: (a) a video area 488 thatis blank or otherwise masks the applicable video; (b) a star rating 490;(c) a review date 492; and (d) a text area 494 that is bank or masks thetext of the applicable review. To unlock the reviews, the user canselect a service plan from a plurality of different service plans 497displayed by the review unlock interface 499 as illustrated in FIG. 60B.The user can then pay for and purchase a selected one of the plans byselecting the purchase element 498. After the user makes the payment,the programmed device 120 transitions to the unlocked mode.

In the example shown in FIG. 61A, the programmed device 120 unmasked thereviews and videos within the review interfaces 482, 484, 486 (FIG.60A). For example, the review interface 482 states, “By Jane Doe on Aug.25, 2017. Watch this coach screaming at 8th graders. This team is badnews.” The review interface 482 also includes a compilation video 496produced by Jane Doe. The compilation video 496 shows the coachexhibiting the screaming behavior during a practice or game of theChicago Blaze.

For parents of participants under the age of eighteen, it can bedifficult to research and identify suitable organizations for theirchildren. For example, most parents of student athletes rely onword-of-mouth information regarding AAU teams. This is because there islittle online information regarding many of these teams, and there is noreadily-accessible, reliable resource that provides transparency intothe team activities or otherwise facilitates the integrity, accuracy andobjectivity of the information. Consequently, parents often mistakenlyselect AAU teams that are lead or coached by adults who are lacking inethics and competence or who engage in nepotism. This exposes childrenand youth to hostile environments involving bullying by coaches,embarrassment or ridicule by coaches, poor role models of coachesengaged in fighting, profanity and confrontations with referees andothers, physical and psychological abuse by coaches and other acts thatare harmful to the self esteem and development of children and youth.The provider interface 480 (FIG. 60A) provides an improvement to helpovercome this problem. For example, the provider interface 480 enablesparents to see inside an organization (e.g., AAU team) by watchingtruthful, review-based vidoes generated through the video generator 28as described above.

If the user is interested in matching-up with, contracting with, joiningor otherwise connecting with a provider who is listed through listingelement 458 (FIG. 58A), the user can select the provider's name. In theexample shown in FIG. 61A, the user selected the Chicago Blaze name 498,and, in response, the programmed device 120 displayed the providerprofile 500 regarding the Chicago Blaze club as illustrated in FIG. 61B.The provider profile 500 includes a list of hyperlinks to detailedinformation regarding the Chicago Blaze club as well as a plurality ofselectable options. In this example, the user selected the girls option502 and the payment element 504. The payment element 504 enables theuser to submit an electronic payment to join the Chicago Blaze club.

Conventionally, many providers such as AAU clubs, are not equipped toaccept credit card or electronic payments. They require cash payments.The lack of receipts and handling of cash can cause security and fraudrisks for payers. In an embodiment, the user can make one-time paymentsand periodic payments to the listed providers through the providerprofile 500. This provides an improvement in security and conveniencefor athletes, participants and parents.

In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 is operable to display anitem order interface 506 as illustrated in FIG. 62A. In the illustratedembodiment, the purchasable item includes a wearable device, a bracelet508 as illustrated in FIG. 62B. The bracelet 508 includes an electricalelement 510. The order interface 506 enables the user to customize thebracelet 508 with the user's name, a desired slogan, expression orquote, and the desired color. By selecting the payment element 512, theuser can pay for and order the bracelet 508.

In an embodiment, the programmed device 120 is operable to display anitem order interface 514 as illustrated in FIG. 63A. In the illustratedembodiment, the purchasable item includes a wearable device, ashoestring tag 516 as illustrated in FIGS. 63B and 63C. The shoestringtag 516 includes an electrical element 510. The order interface 514enables the user to customize the shoestring tag 516 with the user'sname (e.g., “J. SMITH”), an identification or member ID number (e.g.,“#2849”) generated by the system 13, a desired slogan, expression orquote (e.g., “NEVER QUIT”), and the desired color. By selecting thepayment element 520, the user can pay for and order the shoestring tag516.

In this embodiment, the shoestring tag 516 includes a body 522 thatdefines a plurality of fasteners or couplers which, in the exampleshown, include string receiving holes 524, 526. The body 522 has adownwardly-curved, arc shape as shown. It should be appreciated,however, that the body 522 can be flat, wavy or have any other suitableshape. As shown in FIG. 64A, the string receiving holes 524, 526 areconfigured to receive segments 528, 530, respectively, of a shoestring536 of a shoe 534. The shoestring tag 516 is removably coupled to theshoestring 536 which, in turn, is removably coupled to the shoe 534.

In an embodiment, the electrical element 510 includes: (a) an antenna,transmitter or radiator operable to generate a wireless signal, such asa suitable RF; (b) a receiver operable to receive such a wirelesssignal; (c) a transceiver operable to generate and receive such awireless signal; (d) a sensor operable to monitor or detect events andconditions related to the user who is wearing the bracelet 508 orshoestring tag 516 or the environment in which the user is running,walking, standing or participating; or (e) a memory unit operable tostore data. In an embodiment, the electrical element 510 includes anysuitable combination of the foregoing components. In an embodiment, thesensor has circuitry, including a data processor and memory, configuredto sense foot speed, acceleration, impact, stress, fastest speed, theheights of jumps, biometric activity of the wearer and otherperformance-related factors that occur throughout the game or event.

In an embodiment, the electrical element 510 has circuitry coupled to aminiature battery power source. In another embodiment, the electricalelement 510 includes a passive radio-frequency identification (“RFID”)module having a circuit configured to: (a) store and process informationthat modulates and demodulates external RF signals; (b) a power receiveroperable to receive electrical power from the external RF signals; and(c) a transceiver operable to receive and transmit the RF signals.

The electrical element 510 is configured to communicate with or transmitsignals to one or more external transceivers. Depending upon theembodiment, the external transceivers can be components of one or moreprogrammed devices 120 or components of one or more sensors installed inthe facility where the wearer is performing. In an embodiment, eachexternal transceiver includes an RF transceiver operable to send highfrequency RF signals to, and receive high frequency RF signals from, theelectrical element 510.

In operation of an example, an athlete installs the shoestring tag 516on the athlete's shoe 534 as illustrated in FIG. 64. The shoestring tag516 is operable to receive and respond to a signal generated by anexternal RF transceiver, such as a programmed device 120 that is pairedwith the shoestring tag 516. A member of the audience, such as a parentof the athlete, is seated in bleachers holding the programmed device120. The programmed device 120 wirelessly communicates with theshoestring tag 516. The electrical element 510 senses and storesinformation regarding the athlete's performance throughout the game. Theprogrammed device 120 communicates with the shoestring tag 516 toreceive such information. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 65, theprogrammed device 120 generates the athlete metrics interface 538. Basedon the information received from the shoestring tag 516, the athletemetrics interface 538 displays data, including: the peak acceleration orhistory of accelerations; peak speed or history of speeds; peak verticaljumping height or history of jumping heights; playing time or hourstrained; steps taken; and distance from the programmed device 120 to theshoestring tag 516.

In another embodiment, the electrical element 510 is configured togenerate an energy signature, such as an RF signature, infrared light orother light within the invisible spectrum. In this embodiment, theprogrammed device 120 has a thermal imaging device, infrared radiationreader, video camera or other sensor that is configured to continuouslytrack and detect the energy signature. Using the energy signature, thevideo generator 28 (FIG. 1) generates a tracking image on or adjacent tothe video-recorded image of the participant in the event. In the exampleshown in FIG. 66, the video generator 28 generates the tracking images540, 542 under the athlete's feet. It should be appreciated that thetracking images 540, 542 can have any other shape or color, including,but not limited to, circle, square, rectangle, star, translucent color,yellow, red or other graphical indications. As the wearer moves aboutthe court, the tracking images 540, 542 also move, following the wearer.This provides an improvement by assisting video viewers with identifyingthe spotlighted athlete amongst a group of other athletes.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 67, the video generator 28 isconfigured to generate an animation set 544 having a plurality ofdifferent animations of the tracking images 540, 542. The animationsvary with the athlete's actual performance, which is recorded based onthe stats collected by the programmed device 120. In the example shown,animation A (foot highlight) corresponds to a default mode, animation B1(foot smoke) corresponds to a streak of two shots made by the trackedathlete, animation B2 (foot fire) corresponds to a streak of three shotsmade by the tracked athlete, animation B3 (foot blaze) corresponds tothe tracked player achieving twenty points, animation C1 (footsnowflakes) corresponds to a streak of three shots missed by the trackedplayer, animation C2 (foot ice cubes) corresponds to over threeturnovers by the tracked player, and animation C3 (foot icicles)corresponds to the tracked player having a ratio of made shots to missedshots (or shooting percentages) that is below a designated threshold.

Depending upon the embodiment, the network 16 can include one or more ofthe following: a wired network, a wireless network, an LAN, an extranet,an intranet, a WAN (including, but not limited to, the Internet), avirtual private network (“VPN”), an interconnected data path acrosswhich multiple devices may communicate, a peer-to-peer network, atelephone network, portions of a telecommunications network for sendingdata through a variety of different communication protocols, aBluetooth® communication network, an RF data communication network, anIR data communication network, a satellite communication network or acellular communication network for sending and receiving data throughshort messaging service (“SMS”), multimedia messaging service (“MMS”),hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), direct data connection, WirelessApplication Protocol (“WAP”), email or any other suitable messagetransfer service or format.

In an embodiment, such one or more processors (e.g., processor 14) caninclude a data processor or a central processing unit (“CPU”). Each suchone or more data storage devices can include, but is not limited to, ahard drive with a spinning magnetic disk, a Solid-State Drive (“SSD”), afloppy disk, an optical disk (including, but not limited to, a CD orDVD), a Random Access Memory (“RAM”) device, a Read-Only Memory (“ROM”)device (including, but not limited to, programmable read-only memory(“PROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), amagnetic card, an optical card, a flash memory device (including, butnot limited to, a USB key with non-volatile memory, any type of mediasuitable for storing electronic instructions or any other suitable typeof computer-readable storage medium. In an embodiment, an assemblyincludes a combination of: (a) one or more of the databases 12 thatstore the system 13; and (b) one or more of the foregoing processors(e.g., processor 14).

Referring to FIG. 1, the users of the system 13 can use or operate anysuitable input/output (I/O) device to transmit inputs to processor 14and to receive outputs from processor 14, including, but not limited to,any of the devices 20 (FIG. 1). Depending upon the embodiment, thedevices 20 can include a personal computer (PC) (including, but notlimited to, a desktop PC, a laptop or a tablet), smart television,Internet-enabled TV, person digital assistant, smartphone, cellularphone or mobile electronic device. In one embodiment, such I/O devicehas at least one input device (including, but not limited to, atouchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone, a sound sensor or a speechrecognition device) and at least one output device (including, but notlimited to, a speaker, a display screen, a monitor or an LCD).

In an embodiment, the system 13 includes computer-readable instructions,algorithms and logic that are implemented with any suitable programmingor scripting language, including, but not limited to, C, C++, Java,COBOL, assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL Stored Procedures orExtensible Markup Language (XML). The system 13 can be implemented withany suitable combination of data structures, objects, processes,routines or other programming elements.

In an embodiment, the interfaces displayable by the devices 20 caninclude GUIs structured based on any suitable programming language. EachGUI can include, in an embodiment, multiple windows, pull-down menus,buttons, scroll bars, iconic images, wizards, the mouse symbol orpointer, and other suitable graphical elements. In an embodiment, theGUIs incorporate multimedia, including, but not limited to, sound,voice, motion video and virtual reality interfaces to generate outputsof the system 13 or the device 20.

In an embodiment, the memory devices and data storage devices describedabove can be non-transitory mediums that store or participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such non-transitorymediums can take different forms, including, but not limited to,non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media can include,for example, optical or magnetic disks, flash drives, and any of thestorage devices in any computer. Volatile media can include dynamicmemory, such as main memory of a computer. Forms of non-transitorycomputer-readable media therefore include, for example, a floppy disk,flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, aCD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read programming code and/or data. Many ofthese forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor forexecution. In contrast with non-transitory mediums, transitory physicaltransmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiberoptics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computersystem, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, and cables orlinks transporting such a carrier wave. Carrier-wave transmission mediacan take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic orlight waves such as those generated during RF and IR datacommunications.

It should be appreciated that at least some of the subject matterdisclosed herein includes or involves a plurality of steps orprocedures. In an embodiment, as described, some of the steps orprocedures occur automatically or autonomously as controlled by aprocessor or electrical controller without relying upon a human controlinput, and some of the steps or procedures can occur manually under thecontrol of a human. In another embodiment, all of the steps orprocedures occur automatically or autonomously as controlled by aprocessor or electrical controller without relying upon a human controlinput. In yet another embodiment, some of the steps or procedures occursemi-automatically as partially controlled by a processor or electricalcontroller and as partially controlled by a human.

It should also be appreciated that aspects of the disclosed subjectmatter may be embodied as a method, device, assembly, computer programproduct or system. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosed subject mattermay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that mayall, depending upon the embodiment, generally be referred to herein as a“service,” “circuit,” “circuitry,” “module,” “assembly” and/or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the disclosed subject matter may take the formof a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemediums having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Aspects of the disclosed subject matter are described herein in terms ofsteps and functions with reference to flowchart illustrations and blockdiagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems and computer program products.It should be understood that each such step, function block of theflowchart illustrations and block diagrams, and combinations thereof,can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computerprogram instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create results and output for implementingthe functions described herein.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the functions described herein.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions described herein.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

The following is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: providing a pluralityof computer-readable instructions that are executable to cause anelectronic device to perform a plurality of steps, wherein the stepscomprise: starting a recording session to record an event, wherein therecording of the event results in a video track; during the recordingsession: receiving a plurality of inputs at different points in time;and in response to each one of the inputs, storing a set of timestampsassociated with the input, wherein each of the sets comprises a firsttimestamp and a second timestamp; wherein the first timestamp of the setcomprises a chronological position located before the point in time ofthe input associated with the set; and wherein the chronologicalposition depends on a time value stored before the recording sessionbegins; before or after the recording session, receiving at least oneadditional input associated with an output, wherein the output comprisesone of a visual output or an audio output; and generating a highlightvideo, wherein: the highlight video comprises one or more desiredportions of the video track; each of the one or more desired portionsresults from one of the inputs; each of the one or more desired portionscomprises a length that at least partially depends on the time value;the highlight video excludes at least one undesired portion of the videotrack other than the one or more desired portions; and the highlightvideo, when played, provides the output.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein: with respect to each of the sets: the first timestamp comprisesa rearward data marker, wherein the rearward data marker comprises afirst chronological position located before the point in time of theinput associated with the set; and the second timestamp comprises anending data marker, wherein the ending data marker comprises one of: (a)a second chronological position located at the point in time of theinput associated with the set; or (b) a second chronological positionlocated after the point in time of the input associated with the set;each of the desired portions comprises one or more frames; and the atleast one excluded portion comprises one or more frames.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein: the highlight video excludes each portion of thevideo track that is between a plurality of the desired portions; and thesteps comprise: receiving a supplemental input related to the highlightvideo; and indicating a benefit as a result of the supplemental input,wherein the benefit is usable to make a purchase.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein: the electronic device comprises a mobile device configuredto be operatively coupled to a server; the time value is stored within amemory device of one of the electronic device or the server; the visualoutput comprises an image; and the audio output comprises music.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the steps comprise accessing data associatedwith a plurality of different musical recordings, wherein: the at leastone additional input corresponds to a selecting of one of the musicalrecordings; the generating of the highlight video comprisesincorporating the selected musical recording into the highlight video;and the audio output comprises a playing of the selected musicalrecording.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the at least oneadditional input corresponds to an image; and the generating of thehighlight video comprises incorporating the image into the highlightvideo, wherein the image comprises one of a graphic, a text, a numeral,a word or a symbol.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps comprisecausing the second timestamp of a first one of the sets to function asthe first timestamp of a second one of the sets depending on how soonthe input for the second set follows the input for the first set.
 8. Themethod of claim 5, wherein: the event involves a participant that canperform a plurality of activities during the event; the activities areassociated with a plurality of different statistics; the steps comprisestoring at least one of the statistics during the recording session; thestored statistic is at least partially based on one of the inputs; andthe visual output comprises an image that indicates the storedstatistic.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the stored statistic is atleast partially based on one of a plurality of different types ofstatistic inputs received by the electronic device.
 10. One or more datastorage devices comprising: a plurality of computer-readableinstructions that are executable to cause an electronic device to: starta recording session to record an event, wherein the recording sessionresults in a video track; during the recording session: receive aplurality of inputs at different points in time; and in response to eachone of the inputs, store a set of bookmarks, wherein the set comprises afirst bookmark and a second bookmark, wherein the first bookmark of theset comprises a chronological position located before the point in timeof the input associated with the set, wherein the chronological positiondepends on a time value stored before the recording session begins; andoutside of the recording session, receive an additional input associatedwith an output, wherein the output comprises one of a visual output oran audio output; and produce a video that comprises: one or moreretained portions of the video track, wherein each of the retainedportions results from one of the inputs; and the output, wherein thevideo excludes at least one portion of the video track other than theone or more retained portions.
 11. The one or more data storage devicesof claim 10, wherein: with respect to each of the sets: the firstbookmark comprises a rearward data marker, wherein the rearward datamarker comprises a first chronological position located before the pointin time of the input associated with the set; and the second bookmarkcomprises an ending data marker, wherein the ending data markercomprises one of: (a) a second chronological position located at thepoint in time of the input associated with the set; or (b) a secondchronological position located after the point in time of the inputassociated with the set; each of the retained portions comprises one ormore frames; and the at least one excluded portion comprises one or moreframes.
 12. The one or more data storage devices of claim 10, wherein:the additional input corresponds to a selecting of at least one of aplurality of different musical recordings; and the production of thevideo comprises: deleting from the video track, each portion of thevideo track that is between a plurality of the retained portions; andincorporating the selected musical recording into the video.
 13. The oneor more data storage devices of claim 10, wherein: the computer-readableinstructions are executable to cause the electronic device to cause thesecond bookmark of a first one of the sets to function as the firstbookmark of a second one of the sets depending on how soon the input forthe second set follows the input for the first set; the additional inputcorresponds to an image; and the computer-readable instructions areexecutable to cause the electronic device to incorporate the image intothe video.
 14. The one or more data storage devices of claim 10, whereinthe computer-readable instructions are executable to cause theelectronic device to: receive a supplemental input related to the video;and indicate a benefit as a result of the supplemental input, whereinthe benefit is usable to make a purchase.
 15. The one or more datastorage devices of claim 10, wherein: the event involves a participantthat can perform a plurality of activities during the event; theactivities are associated with a plurality of different statistics; thecomputer-readable instructions are executable to cause the electronicdevice to process at least one of the statistics during the recordingsession; the processed statistic is at least partially based on one ofthe inputs; and the visual output comprises an image that indicates theprocessed statistic.
 16. A method comprising: providing a programconfigured to be executed by an electronic device comprising an imagingdevice so that the electronic device is operable in accordance with theprogram to: start a recording session, wherein the recording sessionresults in a video track; during the recording session: receive aplurality of inputs at different points in time; and store a set of datamarkers as a result of each one of the inputs, wherein each of the setscomprises a first data marker and a second data marker; and wherein,with respect to each of the sets: the first data marker of the set is atleast partially determined based on a time value stored before therecording session begins; and the first data marker of the set ischronologically located before the point in time of the input related tothe set; receive an additional input associated with an output, whereinthe receiving of the additional input occurs one of before or after therecording session; and wherein the output comprises one of a visualoutput or an audio output; and produce a video, wherein: the videocomprises one or more desired portions of the video track; each of theone or more desired portions results from one of the inputs; the videoexcludes at least one undesired portion of the video track other thanthe one or more desired portions; and the video is playable to providethe output.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the additional inputcorresponds to a selecting of at least one of a plurality of differentmusical recordings; and the production of the video comprises: deletingfrom the video track, each portion of the video track that is between aplurality of the desired portions; and incorporating the selectedmusical recording into the video.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein:the additional input corresponds to: a selecting of at least one of aplurality of different musical recordings; and an entry related to animage; the video comprises a front interface; and the production of thevideo comprises incorporating the image and the selected musicalrecoding into the front interface.
 19. The method of claim 16,comprising causing the second data marker of a first one of the sets tofunction as the first data marker of a second one of the sets dependingon how soon the input for the second set follows the input for the firstset.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein: the event involves aparticipant that can perform a plurality of activities during the event;the activities are associated with a plurality of different statistics;the method comprises causing the electronic device to process at leastone of the statistics during the recording session; the processedstatistic is at least partially based on one of the inputs; and thevisual output comprises an image that indicates the processed statistic.